MULTIVALENT CONSTRUCTS THAT BIND THE VEGF RECEPTOR-2 KDR FOR THERAPEUTIC AND DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATIONS

摘要

The present invention features multivalent constructs which bind to a target of interest, as well as various methods related to the use of these constructs. The present invention uses small targeting moieties which bind to different binding sites of the same target, allowing for improved localization to the desired target, and providing an improved means for detecting, imaging and/or treating the target site. In particular, the present invention features a compound having a plurality of binding moieties, wherein at least two binding moieties have specificity for different binding sites on the same target. In preferred embodiments, the plurality of binding moieties includes a polypeptide. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the target is KDR or the KDR/VEGF complex, and the binding moieties, particularly binding peptides, bind to different epitopes on KDR or the KDR/VEGF complex.