Abstract #1743

Medarova Z, Pham W, Kim Y, Dai G, Moore A

Previously, we have described a dual-modality targeted contrast agent (CLIO-EPPT) for tumor imaging based on specificity for the uMUC-1 tumor antigen. Important questions relevant to targeted imaging studies deal with the possibility of extracting molecular information about tumor biology. With our new studies, we established differential accumulation of CLIO-EPPT in orthotopic pancreatic tumors as compared to a scrambled-control nanoparticle (CLIO-SCR). We also demonstrated that chemotherapy did not lead to impaired probe uptake, which was in agreement with the lack of uMUC-1 downregulation. This investigation describes a molecular imaging approach, which is an early step towards in vivo molecular tumor profiling.