Dr. Kuo-Shyan Lin studied nuclear engineering and health physics at the National Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu, Taiwan. He then undertook his doctoral and postdoctoral training in radiochemistry at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. After continuing his work as a Research Associate at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, and then as an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Lin joined the BC Cancer, part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, (BC Cancer) in 2009. 

He is currently a Professor in the Department of Radiology at UBC, and a Distinguished Scientist in the Department of Molecular Oncology at BC Cancer. He also heads the Radiochemistry Program at BC Cancer to develop novel radiopharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis and therapy. 

Affiliations

University of British Columbia, Department of Radiology

Credentials

Professor, Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia

Distinguished Scientist, Department of Functional Imaging, BC Cancer

PhD, Radiopharmaceutical chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, 2001

Projects

Development of Receptor-targeting Radiopharmaceuticals

Various membrane receptors overexpressed in cancers are potential targets for diagnosis and therapy. These receptors include folate receptor, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), somatostatin receptor type 2 (Sstr2), C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). Our lab is actively developing radiopharmaceuticals targeting these receptors to improve diagnosis and radiotherapy of cancer.

Development of FAP-targeting Radiopharmaceuticals

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a transmembrane serine protease, is overexpressed in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the stromal component of most carcinomas. Due to its absence or low expression level in normal tissues, FAP represents a promising cancer diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Our lab is actively exploring the use of radiolabeled FAP-targeting pharmacophores for imaging and radiotherapy of cancer.

Cleavable Linkers to Reduce Kidney Uptake of Peptide Radiopharmaceuticals

Radiolabeled peptides are promising pharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis and therapy. However, high kidney uptake of peptide radiopharmaceuticals is frequently observed due to specific and/or nonspecific interactions. High kidney uptake of radiopharmaceuticals hinders the detection of cancer lesions adjacent to kidneys, and reduces the therapeutic dose which can be safely administered into patients. 

Selected Publications

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