SNM 2008, New Orleans

αvÎ23 integrin is expressed on activated endothelial cells and some tumor types. It binds to the RGD sequence of matrix proteins through interactions with talin and α-actinin. PET imaging of mice with [64Cu]DOTA-RGD peptide tracer showed tracer binding correlated with αvβ3 expression levels. A 4-kinetic constant model best described the tracer uptake and internalization over 1 hour and 22.5 hour scans, allowing quantification of specifically bound tracer related to αvβ3 levels.