fluorine F 18-AIF-NOTA-pentixather

A radioconjugate composed of the pentapeptide pentixather, a chemokine receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)-targeting ligand, conjugated, via the macrocyclic chelating agent, 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N''-triacetic acid (NOTA), to fluorine F 18 radiolabeled aluminum fluoride ([18F]AIF), with potential diagnostic imaging activity upon positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). Upon administration, fluorine F 18-AIF-NOTA-pentixather targets and binds to CXCR4-expressing cells. This allows for the visualization of CXCR4-expressing cells upon PET/CT. CXCR4, a G-protein-coupled receptor and marker of poorly differentiated cells, is overexpressed on various cancer cells and in aldosterone-producing tissues. It plays a key role in tumor growth, progression, invasiveness and metastasis.