Diagnostic imaging plays a key role in the detection, treatment, and study of cancer, with technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET) becoming increasingly accessible. While capable of visualizing tumors with high sensitivity, these imaging methods currently yield little information with regard to the type of cancer present, necessitating biopsy follow-ups to determine a patient's prognosis and recommended treatment. As a non-invasive alternative, this research involves the chemical modification of bacteriophage bearing specific surface markers to target and differentiate breast cancer tissues. Efficient synthetic protocols are used for the conversion of phage isolated from library screens into imaging agents. The abilities of the modified phage to bind their targeted cell surface receptors are evaluated in vitro. Experiments in vivo using mice are used to determine biodistribution and targeting abilities of the agents in a physiological setting.

Chemically modified bacteriophage as an approach to targeted, non-invasive breast cancer imaging

244th National Meeting (2012)

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