Patent ID: 6296833
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
A method of determining whether an abnormal growth on the breast, colon, lung, brain, ovary, skin, head or neck of a human patient is cancerous based upon the cellular density of said abnormal growth, comprising:a) administering to said patient a compound that binds with specificity to a calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) and that is labeled with an agent that allows said compound to be detected using in vivo imaging techniques;b) comparing the extent to which said detectably labeled compound of step a) becomes localized within said abnormal growth with the extent to which said detectably labeled compound of step a) becomes localized in tissues surrounding said abnormal growth;c) determining that said abnormal growth is cancerous if said detectably labeled compound is present in said abnormal growth at a higher density than in said surrounding tissue.