Radiolabeled peptides and other ligands for receptors overexpressed in tumor cells for imaging neoplasms.

For better detection of neoplasms by scintigraphy, ligands that bind specifically to surface receptors overexpressed in tumor cells are being developed. These ligands must be labeled with the readily available radionuclides of iodine, [111In] or [99mTc], without blocking their interaction with the specific cell membrane receptors. The promising ligands include bioactive endogenous peptides or their analogues, inhibitors of glucose transport proteins, estrogen and sigma receptor ligands, growth factors, and cytokines.