Peptide Probe Targets NPY1R for Both Glioma Imaging and Alpha-Particle Therapy
A 68Ga/211At-labeled NPY1R-targeting peptide served as both a PET imaging agent and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical for glioma, demonstrating specific tumor uptake and treatment potential.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
A 68Ga/211At-labeled NPY1R-targeting peptide demonstrated specific glioma uptake for PET imaging and therapeutic alpha-particle delivery, establishing a theranostic platform for brain tumors.
Key Numbers
How They Did This
Peptide synthesis and radiolabeling with 68Ga and 211At, binding affinity assays, biodistribution studies, PET imaging, and therapeutic efficacy assessment in glioma models.
Why This Research Matters
Gliomas have poor prognosis. A peptide that can both diagnose and treat brain tumors through the same receptor target could improve outcomes by enabling precise, personalized therapy.
The Bigger Picture
Peptide-based theranostics combine diagnosis and therapy in one molecule. Success in glioma could establish this approach for other NPY1R-expressing tumors.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Preclinical study. Alpha-particle therapy dosimetry in brain is complex. Blood-brain barrier penetration in humans needs confirmation.
Questions This Raises
- ?Can this peptide cross the blood-brain barrier sufficiently for clinical glioma treatment?
- ?How does NPY1R expression vary across glioma grades?
- ?Would combination with other treatments improve glioma outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Image + treat Same NPY1R-targeting peptide enables both diagnostic imaging (68Ga) and therapeutic radiation (211At) for brain tumors
- Evidence Grade:
- Preclinical theranostic development with imaging and efficacy validation. Novel approach for glioma.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- 68Ga/211At-Labeled Specific NPY1R Peptide-Based Molecular Probe for Glioma-Targeted Imaging and Alpha Therapy.
- Published In:
- Biomacromolecules, 27(2), 1196-1209 (2026)
- Authors:
- Gan, Rong, Xu, Duling, Liu, Weihao, Liu, Jiadi, Yang, Yuanyou, Liu, Ning, Zhang, Qiyue, Wang, Zhimin, Li, Hongyan
- Database ID:
- RPEP-15185
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a theranostic?
A theranostic is a molecule that can both diagnose and treat disease. This peptide targets brain tumor cells and can carry either an imaging agent (for diagnosis) or a radioactive atom (for treatment).
How does this peptide find brain tumors?
Brain tumors overexpress NPY1R, a receptor for neuropeptide Y. The peptide specifically binds this receptor, concentrating at the tumor for imaging or delivering radiation directly to cancer cells.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-15185APA
Gan, Rong; Xu, Duling; Liu, Weihao; Liu, Jiadi; Yang, Yuanyou; Liu, Ning; Zhang, Qiyue; Wang, Zhimin; Li, Hongyan. (2026). 68Ga/211At-Labeled Specific NPY1R Peptide-Based Molecular Probe for Glioma-Targeted Imaging and Alpha Therapy.. Biomacromolecules, 27(2), 1196-1209. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01407
MLA
Gan, Rong, et al. "68Ga/211At-Labeled Specific NPY1R Peptide-Based Molecular Probe for Glioma-Targeted Imaging and Alpha Therapy.." Biomacromolecules, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01407
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "68Ga/211At-Labeled Specific NPY1R Peptide-Based Molecular Pr..." RPEP-15185. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/gan-2026-68ga211atlabeled-specific-npy1r-peptidebased
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.