On May 19, 2020 Chonnam National University College of Medicine reported the company’s research team has developed an ultra-sensitive PET molecular imaging probe that can sensitively detect metastatic lesions of malignant melanoma (Press release, CNCure, MAY 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234649030]).

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Professor Min Jeong-jun and Dr. Kim Dong-yeon’s research team at Chonnam National University developed a new molecular imaging precision diagnostic technology by utilizing the chemical structure called benzamide, which can bind to melanin molecules secreted by malignant melanoma.

We synthesized a novel structure that can enhance the targeting ability and uptake rate of malignant melanoma through chemical methods and produced an imaging probe labeled with the positron-emitting nuclide 18F.

This compound, named [18F]DMPY2, showed significantly higher cancer-specific uptake and rapid excretion than previously reported imaging probes.

In particular, results evaluated in small animals showed that it sensitively detects not only primary malignant melanoma but also small cancer metastases less than 1 mm in size, showing superior diagnostic performance and biological characteristics than PET imaging probes currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States.

The research team has registered a domestic patent for this technology and applied for an overseas patent. The technology has been transferred to CNCure, a company founded by the researchers, and is currently preparing for clinical trials.

[18F]DMPY2 showed the highest tumor uptake among melanoma targeting drugs reported so far, with approximately 25% of the injected dose being taken up by malignant melanoma.

This means that there is a very good chance that this imaging technology will be used to diagnose malignant melanoma in humans in the near future.

In addition, if the structural characteristics of DMPY2 are maintained while successfully conjugating a therapeutic radionuclide, it is highly likely that this will lead to the development of a new radiopharmaceutical for the targeted treatment of malignant melanoma.

The research team is developing a theranostic agent that can be used for both diagnosis and treatment based on the DMPY2 structure.

This study was conducted with the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Future Promising Convergence Technology Pioneer Project and the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Health and Medical Technology Research and Development Project, and the paper was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS, 5-year impact factor: 10.600) on May 19, 2020.

The title of the paper is ‘Ultrasensitive detection of malignant melanoma using PET molecular imaging probes’ and the authors are Professor Min Jeong-jun (corresponding author, Chonnam National University), Dr. Kim Dong-yeon (corresponding author, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital), and Dr. Pyo Ah-young (first author, Chonnam National University).

Malignant melanoma is a very aggressive and highly lethal skin cancer. If diagnosed early, it can be surgically removed, but once it has metastasized, the mortality rate within one year is 75%, so early diagnosis is the only effective way to increase the patient’s survival rate.

Professor Min Jeong-jun said, "This study not only proves that the approach and results are excellent, but also means that there is a very high possibility that this diagnostic technology will be used to diagnose malignant melanoma in humans in the near future." He added, "We look forward to more research on the treatment of malignant melanoma in the future, as we can develop new substances that can not only diagnose but also treat malignant melanoma."