(76br)-3-bromobenzylguanidine

Description

You're asking about **(76Br)-3-bromobenzylguanidine**, also known as **[¹⁷⁷Br]BPG**, a radiopharmaceutical used in nuclear medicine.

Here's a breakdown of its key aspects and research significance:

**Structure and Properties:**

* **Structure:** (76Br)-3-bromobenzylguanidine is a derivative of benzylguanidine, with a bromine atom (specifically the isotope ¹⁷⁷Br) attached to the third carbon of the benzene ring.
* **Radioactive Isotope:** It utilizes the radioactive isotope ¹⁷⁷Br, which is a beta emitter. Beta particles are high-energy electrons that can damage DNA and other cell components.
* **Target:** This molecule is designed to target and accumulate in tissues containing high levels of the enzyme **monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A)**.

**Why is it Important for Research?**

1. **Cancer Therapy:**
* **Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs):** [¹⁷⁷Br]BPG is particularly promising for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), including those of the pancreas, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. NETs often overexpress MAO-A, making them susceptible to [¹⁷⁷Br]BPG targeting.
* **Mechanism of Action:** The radioisotope ¹⁷⁷Br delivers a targeted dose of radiation directly to the tumor cells, killing them or inhibiting their growth.

2. **Imaging:**
* **PET Scans:** [¹⁷⁷Br]BPG can be used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans to visualize the distribution of MAO-A within the body. This can help identify the location and extent of NETs.

3. **Research Applications:**
* **Understanding MAO-A:** Researchers are using [¹⁷⁷Br]BPG to study the role of MAO-A in different diseases and to understand how this enzyme influences disease progression.
* **Developing New Therapies:** [¹⁷⁷Br]BPG is also being investigated as a potential therapeutic agent for other diseases where MAO-A activity is altered, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

**Current Status:**

* **Clinical Trials:** [¹⁷⁷Br]BPG is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of NETs and other conditions.
* **Promising Results:** Initial results from clinical trials are promising, suggesting that [¹⁷⁷Br]BPG may be an effective and well-tolerated therapy for NETs.

**Overall, (76Br)-3-bromobenzylguanidine is an important research tool with potential for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the fight against cancer and other diseases.**

3-bromobenzylguanidine: a PET radiotracer for mapping sympathetic nerves of the heart; RN refers to (76Br-labeled)-compound [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]