BS, Chemistry, University of Wisconsin Superior, Superior, WI 1985

The major focus of our research is the development, evaluation and application of radiopharmaceuticals containing metal radionuclides for diagnostic imaging and targeted radiotherapy of cancer. We are particularly interested in ⁶⁴Cu (T1/2 = 12.7 hours), in large part because it emits ß+ particles for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and ß- particles for radiotherapy. The agents we are studying are ⁶⁴Cu-labeled bifunctional chelate-receptor ligand conjugates for imaging and therapy of various types of cancer. Somatostatin is a peptide hormone of which certain tumors have upregulated receptors. We are developing new radiolabeled bifunctional-chelator-peptide conjugates of these receptor ligands for PET and radiotherapy. We are also interested in understanding the in vivo metabolism and in vitro subcellular metabolism of these agents. One aspect of these metabolism studies is the correlation of the nature of the bifunctional chelate and the radiometal to differences in the biodistribution of radiometal-chelate-biomolecule conjugates. With collaborators from the University of New Hampshire, we developed cross-bridged macrocyclic chelators for 64Cu that form highly stable complexes in animal models in vivo. The greater in vivo stability of ⁶⁴Cu-labeled cross-bridged chelator somatostatin conjugates impart signficantly improved uptake in tumors with more rapid clearance from blood and liver compared to ⁶⁴Cu-labeled somatostatin analogs with less stable chelators. Another major area of research in our lab is the development of imaging agents targeting the process of cancer metastasis. Towards this goal we are investigating radiolabeled inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases and radiolabeled integrin ligands for imaging of tumors to predict metastatic potential and radiolabeled integrin ligands for targeting bone metastases.

We are currently developing curriculum for a future Graduate Program in Imaging Sciences through NIH Roadmap Initiative funding. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming courses on topics in the Imaging Sciences.