Towards an MMP-2-activated molecular agent for cancer imaging.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been identified as biomarkers for cancer, offering prognostic potential; however, non-invasive detection protocols are currently lacking. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a DOTA-containing peptide sequence that can be radiolabelled easily with (68)Gallium or can be incorporated with gadolinium for possible MRI applications with clear selectivity for MMP-2 over other members of the MMP family, giving MMP-2 selective cleavage of the labelled peptides.