This technology describes a radiolabeled compound that binds to matrix metalloproteinases for early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the third leading cause of death in the US, often goes undiagnosed until irreversible lunge damage has already occurred. Current methods to diagnose COPD typically involve phenotypic screens, such as lung function tests or Chest X-rays or CT scans, that make early diagnosis difficult. As such, there is a need for a method that enables early diagnosis of COPD when clinical intervention is most effective.
This technology describes a method for the early detection and monitoring of COPD using a CT scanner. This technology is based on the finding that elevated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the lungs is a biomarker for COPD. By administering a radiolabeled MMP inhibitor, elevated levels of MMPs can be detected using CT scanning to detect early symptoms of COPD. In contrast to existing diagnostic methods, this technology may provide early detection of COPD when clinical intervention is still effective. Additionally, this technology could be used to monitor disease progression and assess therapeutic response for individualized COPD treatment.
This technology has been demonstrated by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of mice injected with the radiotracer.
Jeanine D’Armiento, M.D., Ph.D.
Patent Pending
IR CU17292
Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik