PEPTIDES THAT SPECIFICALLY BIND HGF RECEPTOR (CMET) AND USES THEREOF

1 .- 32 . (canceled)

33 . A diagnostic imaging agent comprising:

a) a polypeptide which binds cMet or which binds a complex comprising cMet and HGF, wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence:

C-X2-C-X3-G-P-P-X4-F-X5-C-X6-C;

wherein

X2=H, Y, N, R, S, D, Q, L or E;

X3=S, G, N, I, K or Y;

X4=T, W, R, S, A or Q;

X5=E or Q;

X6=W, Y, F, T or A; and,

b) a detectable label for diagnostic imaging.

34 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 33 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence:

G-X1-C-X2-C-X3-G-P-P-X4-F-X5-C-X6-C-X7-X8-X9-X10-P;

wherein

X1=S, N, A, K, F, D, I, R, G or T;

X2=H, Y, N, R, S, D, Q, L or E;

X3=S, G, N, I or Y;

X4=T, W, R, S, A or Q;

X5=E or Q;

X6=W, Y, F, T or A;

X7=Y or F;

X8=G, D, A, E, S, R, H, T or V;

X9=T, S, V, M, A, L, Q, E or P; and,

X10=E, D, A, N, Y or G.

35 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 33 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence:

S-C-X2-C-X3-G-P-P-X4-F-X5-C-X6-C-X7-X8-X9-X10;

wherein

X2=N, H or Y;

X3=G or S;

X4=T;

X5=E;

X6=W;

X7=Y;

X8=A, D, E, G or S;

X9=S or T; and,

X10=D or E.

36 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 33 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence:

E-X12-G-S-C-H-C-S-G-P-α-T-F-E-C-X6-C-X7;

wherein

X12=A, E, G or S;

X6=F, W or Y; and,

X7=F or Y.

37 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 33 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence:

C-Y-C-S-G-P-P-R-F-E-C-W-C

or

S-E-T-R-P-T-E-A-G-S-C-Y-C-S-G-P-P-R-F-E-C-W-C-Y-E-

T-E-P-T-E.

38 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 33 , wherein the detectable label is an enzyme, a fluorescent compound, a liposome, an optical dye, a paramagnetic metal ion, an ultrasound contrast agent, or a diagnostic radionuclide.

39 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 38 , wherein the paramagnetic metal ion or the diagnostic radionuclide is complexed with a chelator.

40 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 33 , wherein the detectable label is an ultrasound contrast agent or a diagnostic radionuclide, wherein the diagnostic radionuclide is complexed with a chelator.

41 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 33 , wherein the detectable label is detectable by optical imaging, acousto-optical imaging or sonoluminescent imaging.

42 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 41 , wherein the detectable label is a photolabel.

43 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 42 , wherein the photolabel is an optical dye or bioluminescent molecule.

44 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 33 , further comprising a linker.

45 . A method of detecting cMet or a complex comprising cMet and HGF in a subject, the method comprising:

(a) administering to the subject the diagnostic imaging agent of claim 33 ; and,

(b) detecting the diagnostic imaging agent in the subject.

46 . The method of claim 45 , further comprising imaging a portion of the subject.

47 . The method of claim 46 , further comprising constructing an image.

48 . The method of claim 47 , wherein the image is constructed using ultrasound energy, radioimaging or light imaging.

49 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 37 , wherein the detectable label is an enzyme, a fluorescent compound, a liposome, an optical dye, a paramagnetic metal ion, an ultrasound contrast agent, or a diagnostic radionuclide.

50 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 49 , wherein the paramagnetic metal ion, or the diagnostic radionuclide is complexed with a chelator.

51 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 37 , wherein the detectable label is an ultrasound contrast agent or a diagnostic radionuclide, wherein the diagnostic radionuclide is complexed with a chelator.

52 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 37 , wherein the detectable label is detectable by optical imaging, acousto-optical imaging or sonoluminescent imaging.

53 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 52 , wherein the detectable label is a photolabel.

54 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 53 , wherein the photolabel is an optical dye or bioluminescent molecule.

55 . The diagnostic imaging agent of claim 37 , further comprising a linker.

56 . A method of detecting cMet or a complex comprising cMet and HGF in a subject, the method comprising:

(a) administering to the subject the diagnostic imaging agent of claim 37 ; and,

(b) detecting the diagnostic imaging agent in the subject.

57 . The method of claim 56 , further comprising imaging a portion of the subject.

58 . The method of claim 56 , further comprising constructing an image.

59 . The method of claim 58 , wherein the image is constructed using ultrasound energy, radioimaging or light imaging.