Leland Stanford Junior University

Robert Teed

Sanjiv Sam Gambhir

Zhen Cheng

Benjamin Joseph Hackel

Richard H Kimura

Frederick T Chin

Bin Shen

Disclosed are peptides comprising a molecular scaffold portion and a loop portion that binds to integrin &#x3b1;&#x3b2;. This integrin is expressed on pancreatic tumors, making the peptides useful as imaging agents, among other uses. The peptides showed single-digit nanomolar dissociation constants similar to antibodies used clinically for imaging and therapy. The peptides rapidly accumulated in &#x3b1;&#x3b2;-positive tumors, which led to excellent tumor-to-normal contrast. The peptides are specific for the targeted integrin &#x3b1;&#x3b2;receptors expressed on orthotopic pancreatic tumors and various xenografts used. Additionally, pharmacokinetic-stabilization strategies endowed knots with rapid renal clearance, which significantly reduced off-target dosing.

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Robert Teed