Targeted Molecular Imaging and Cancer Research Lab
Dr. Schultz's research interests involve the development of synthetic-bioactive molecular targeting vectors for imaging and therapy of cancer. Molecular targeting involves identification of G-protein coupled receptors and other cell surface antigens and the development of targeting vectors that selectively bind to these antigens. Vectors include synthetically-modified peptides, small molecules, targeted nanoparticles, and RNA “aptamers”. Multimodality imaging probes are designed for use with positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fluorescence imaging techniques. Dr. Schultz’s lab focuses on identification of cell surface receptors that are unique to specific cell types (e.g., melanoma, prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors) and use of bioconjugate chemistry to develop targeting vectors that not only bind specifically to these cell surface antigens, but deliver a reporter signal that can be recognized by PET, SPECT, MRI, and optical technologies for in vivo imaging, as well as delivery radiation dose precisely to malignancy in vivo. Optimizing these targeting vectors includes examining molecular modifications that alter their pharmacokinetics and biodistribution for improved cancer cell targeting. Radionuclides used for imaging include fluorine-18, carbon-11, gallium-68, indium-111, copper-64, and others. These targeting vectors can also be used to precisely deliver radionuclides therapies to cancerous tumors while minimizing dose to healthy cells in vivo. To impart improved molecular targeting characteristics to peptides, small molecules, RNA aptamers, and nanoparticles, the Schultz laboratory examines a variety of bioconjugate chemistry approaches include novel methods in copper-free click chemistry approaches to organic synthesis.
The Schultz Lab Team
Post Doctoral Scholar: Nicholas Baumhover PhD
Graduate Researcher: Kyle C Kloepping (PhD student)
List of Projects that use Imaging Resources:
1. Multivalent Molecular Targeting Vectors for Image Guided Radionuclide Therapy of Metastatic Melanoma.
2. Development of mitochondrial targeted small molecules for radionuclide imaging and cancer therapy.
3. Peptides for Imaging Neuroendocrine Tumors in Children and Adults.
4. Porphyrazines for Imaging and Therapy of Breast Cancer.
5. RNA Aptamers for Imaging Prostate Cancer.
6. Peptides for Imaging Medulloblastoma in Children.
7. Nanoparticles for imaging and therapy of cancer.
Funded Imaging Proposals:
Schultz (PI); Giangrande, Rockey, Joudi, McNamara (Co-I's) 02-01-10-06-30-10
Grow Iowa Values Fund - State of Iowa Economic Development Fund
Prostavision: Development of a novel imaging agent for prostate cancer
Selecting the optimum radiometal (gallium-68, copper-64, and indium-111) for radiolabeling of RNA aptamers for imaging of prostate cancer.
Schultz (PI) 03-01-2010 - 02-28-2011
Oberley Cancer Research Seed Grant - Cancer Center
Porphyrazines for Imaging Breast Cancer
Examining the feasibility of molecular targeting and imaging of breast cancer using a novel small molecule based on porphyrins that preferentially accumulates in breast cancer tumors and can be radiolabeled for imaging with positron emitter copper-64.
Schultz (Co-I), Giangrande (PI) 10/01/09 - 09/30/11
Carver Collaborative Trust
Development of 68Ga-Labeled RNA Aptamers Targeting Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen For In Vivo Imaging of Prostate Cancer
Development a highly effective diagnostic agent capable of imaging both localized as well as metastatic prostate cancer lesions.
Schultz (Co-I); Bushnell (PI)
Department of Veteran’s Affairs 06/01/09 - 05/31/11
Combined Targeted Radiotherapy for Neuroendocrine Tumors
Combined Yttrium-90 octreotide and Iodine-125 MIBG therapy of neuroendocrine tumors. Completed Imaging Research Support
Completed Imaging Research Support
Schultz (PI) 03/01/08 - 02/28/10 American Cancer Society, Junior Faculty Seed Grant
68Ga-Labeled Aptamers Targeting Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen For In Vivo Imaging of Prostate Cancer by Positron Emission Tomography.
Schultz (Co-I); O’Dorisio & Bushnell (Co-PIs)
NIH R21 CA134198 08/01/08 - 07/31/10 Dosimetry in Children and Young Adults with Neuroblastoma or Neuroendocrine Tumors
Indium-111 labeled octreotides for dosimetry of patients with neuroblastoma.
Research Award Schultz (PI) 09/01/09 - 08/31/10 Fraternal Order of Eagles Radiopharmaceutical Development for Childhood Cancer Imaging and Treatment
Molecular Imaging Studies for Targeted Imaging of Childhood Cancer.
Schultz (Co-PI); O’Dorisio (PI) 03/01/08 - 02/28/10 University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Collaborative Pilot Grant
Targeted Gallium-68 labeled Octreotide Analogs for Imaging Neuroendocrine Tumors by Positron Emission Tomography: A New Strategy for Staging and Monitoring Response to Therapy.
Schultz (Co-I); Shutt (PI) 03/01/08 - 02/28/09 Aiming for a Cure Foundation
Strategy for Increasing Neuroblastoma Treatment Efficacy with Retinoic Acid
Administration Prior to Somatostatin Analog-Based Radiotherapy, Ga-68 labeled octreotides are used to measure the upregulation of somatostatin receptors in neuroblastoma in preclinical rat models.
Schultz (PI) 08/01/07 - 07/31/08
University of Iowa Holden Cancer Center Seed Grant
Development of Gallium-68 Labeled RNA Aptamers for in Vivo Imaging of Cancer by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging — Feasibility Study.
Schultz (Co-I); O’Dorisio (Co-PI), Bushnell (Co-PI), 2008-2009
University of Iowa Holden Cancer Center Seed Grant
Dosimetry Studies of Neuroblastoma in Children using 111In Octreotides.
Research Award Schultz (PI) 09/01/07 - 08/31/08
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Radiopharmaceutical Development for Cancer Treatment, Preclinical Molecular Targeting Studies for Imaging of Neuroblastoma.