University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine Amyloidosis and Cancer Theranostics Program

The history of the Amyloidosis and Cancer Theranostics Program (ACTP) is rooted in the study of light chain (AL) amyloidosis and the development of novel agents for the study, detection and treatment of this disease. In recent years, the Program has both extended its horizons to encompass all amyloid-related disorders and some specific malignancies, and focused principally on peptides as biological agents for targeting these diseases as a means of detection and treatment.

The major thrust of the ACTP is developing, characterizing and translating novel synthetic peptides into the clinic for the non-invasive imaging of amyloidosis in patients by using PET/CT and SPECT/CT. In addition, they are developing novel strategies for the treatment of amyloidosis by exploiting the exquisite targeting abilities of the synthetic peptides.

In collaboration with colleagues at the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, they are assessing the ability of synthetic peptides to inhibit cell infection by cytomegalovirus, a major cause of childhood deafness and mental retardation. Finally, work with the University of Tennessee Medical Center and UT College of Veterinary Medicine has led to the discovery that peptides can be used to target metastatic melanoma as well as certain carcinomas.