Melanin probe-1, an 18F-picolinamide-based PET probe, is utilized for PET imaging of malignant melanoma. It demonstrates remarkable tumor targeting efficacy, superior tumor imaging contrasts, favorable biodistribution profiles, and robust in vivo stability.

Melanin probe-1, administered via the tail vein at a dosage of 3.7 MBq, demonstrates exemplary tumor-targeting efficiency, high in vivo stability, and optimal pharmacokinetic attributes, including rapid urinary clearance and minimal uptake by major organs, culminating in near-background levels at 2 hours. This specificity is further evidenced by high tumor-to-nontumor ratios, underscoring Melanin probe-1 PET's significant promise for enhancing melanoma detection. In C57BL/6 mice with B16F10 murine melanomas, tumor uptake of Melanin probe-1 recorded 12.74 ± 1.70, 16.61 ± 2.60, and 16.87 ± 1.23 %ID/g at 0.5, 1, and 2 hours post-administration, respectively.