Imaging with Labeled Glycans (2)
摘要
In order to detect diseases early and treat them efficiently, a new delivery system is needed that can control accumulation in specific organs or excretion and can highly recognize disease cells in the body. While the interaction of single glycan molecules with lectins is weak, these interactions are significantly enhanced by complexing them with biomolecules or clustering them. In particular, by clustering multiple types of glycan molecules, “pattern recognition” with cell surface molecules, e.g., lectins, is exhibited, only the target cells can be highly selectively identified even in the presence of many other biomolecules in the body. Therefore, it is drawing great attention as an innovative delivery system following antibodies. The delivery systems with “pattern recognition mechanism” can be applied to molecular imaging and diagnosis represented by PET and MR imaging or glycocluster-drug conjugate (GDC) therapy that complexes with various RIs, anticancer drugs, and even catalysts to synthesize them directly in the body.