Current status and advances in arginine-glycine-aspartic acid peptide-based molecular imaging to evaluate the effects of anti-angiogenic therapies

Abstract

It is known that tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis are all dependent on tumor angiogenesis. Persistent angiogenesis is a characteristic of malignant tumors. Quantification of neovascularization in malignant tumors is considered to be an important independent prognostic marker. Integrin αvβ3 plays an important role in angiogenesis and tumor metastasis. Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides can specifically bind to integrin αvβ3. Radiolabeled RGD molecular probes can be used to visualize tumor blood vessels, monitor their changes before and after anti-angiogenic treatment, and predict the curative effect of anti-angiogenic drugs. As a highly specific marker, the radiolabeled RGD peptide can be used for molecular imaging of malignant tumors, and serve as a tool for early diagnosis, treatment, and detection of anti-angiogenesis effects in tumors. The method is gradually beginning to be applied in research and clinical angiography for visualization of various tumors. Results obtained in some animal experiments and clinical trials have verified the effectiveness of radiolabeled RGD peptide imaging for the evaluation of anti-angiogenic therapy efficacy. However, to verify the feasibility of this method and to extensively implement it, more in-depth clinical and preclinical trials are required.