Definition

A radioconjugate composed of an angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-specific inhibitor DX600 labeled with the radioisotope gallium Ga 68, with potential imaging activity upon positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Upon administration of gallium Ga 68-labeled DX600, DX600 targets and binds to ACE2. Upon PET/CT imaging, ACE2 expression can be assessed. ACE2 plays an important role in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and may be involved in malignancies, diabetes, and liver, cardiovascular and lung diseases. ACE2 is also the main host cell receptor of human pathogenic coronaviruses including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and plays a key role in viral entry and viral infection.