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CA: a Cancer Journal For Clinicians Jul 2022The authors define molecular imaging, according to the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, as the visualization, characterization, and measurement of... (Review)
Review
The authors define molecular imaging, according to the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, as the visualization, characterization, and measurement of biological processes at the molecular and cellular levels in humans and other living systems. Although practiced for many years clinically in nuclear medicine, expansion to other imaging modalities began roughly 25 years ago and has accelerated since. That acceleration derives from the continual appearance of new and highly relevant animal models of human disease, increasingly sensitive imaging devices, high-throughput methods to discover and optimize affinity agents to key cellular targets, new ways to manipulate genetic material, and expanded use of cloud computing. Greater interest by scientists in allied fields, such as chemistry, biomedical engineering, and immunology, as well as increased attention by the pharmaceutical industry, have likewise contributed to the boom in activity in recent years. Whereas researchers and clinicians have applied molecular imaging to a variety of physiologic processes and disease states, here, the authors focus on oncology, arguably where it has made its greatest impact. The main purpose of imaging in oncology is early detection to enable interception if not prevention of full-blown disease, such as the appearance of metastases. Because biochemical changes occur before changes in anatomy, molecular imaging-particularly when combined with liquid biopsy for screening purposes-promises especially early localization of disease for optimum management. Here, the authors introduce the ways and indications in which molecular imaging can be undertaken, the tools used and under development, and near-term challenges and opportunities in oncology.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical Oncology; Molecular Imaging; Positron-Emission Tomography
PubMed: 34902160
DOI: 10.3322/caac.21713 -
Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official... Jul 2020Transthyretin and light-chain amyloidosis are the 2 main causes of cardiac amyloidosis. Recent developments in molecular imaging have transformed our ability to diagnose... (Review)
Review
Transthyretin and light-chain amyloidosis are the 2 main causes of cardiac amyloidosis. Recent developments in molecular imaging have transformed our ability to diagnose transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis noninvasively and unmasked a hitherto unrecognized prevalence of the disease. This review summarizes the current and evolving imaging approaches, their molecular structural basis, and the gaps in imaging capabilities that have arisen as a result of parallel developments in pharmacotherapy delivering the first effective treatment options for this condition.
Topics: Amyloidosis; Cardiomyopathies; Humans; Molecular Imaging
PubMed: 32482792
DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.120.245381 -
The Quarterly Journal of Nuclear... Mar 2021
Topics: Humans; Molecular Imaging
PubMed: 33494586
DOI: 10.23736/S1824-4785.21.03329-X -
Neuroscience Bulletin Oct 2014
Topics: Brain; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 25260794
DOI: 10.1007/s12264-014-1474-8 -
JACC. Cardiovascular Imaging Nov 2022
Topics: Humans; Molecular Imaging; Cardiovascular Diseases
PubMed: 36357149
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2022.10.001 -
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Sep 2020Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined by a chronic relapsing and remitting inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, with intestinal fibrosis being a major... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined by a chronic relapsing and remitting inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, with intestinal fibrosis being a major complication. The etiology of IBD remains unknown, but it is thought to arise from a dysregulated and excessive immune response to gut luminal microbes triggered by genetic and environmental factors. To date, IBD has no cure, and treatments are currently directed at relieving symptoms and treating inflammation. The current diagnostic of IBD relies on endoscopy, which is invasive and does not provide information on the presence of extraluminal complications and molecular aspect of the disease. Cross-sectional imaging modalities such as computed tomography enterography (CTE), magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and hybrid modalities have demonstrated high accuracy for the diagnosis of IBD and can provide both functional and morphological information when combined with the use of molecular imaging probes. This review presents the state-of-the-art imaging techniques and molecular imaging approaches in the field of IBD and points out future directions that could help improve our understanding of IBD pathological processes, along with the development of efficient treatments.
Topics: Fibrosis; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestines; Molecular Imaging; Multimodal Imaging
PubMed: 32793946
DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izaa213 -
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology Aug 2018Ultrasound (US) imaging is a safe, sensitive and affordable imaging modality with a wide usage in the clinic. US signal can be further enhanced by using echogenic... (Review)
Review
Ultrasound (US) imaging is a safe, sensitive and affordable imaging modality with a wide usage in the clinic. US signal can be further enhanced by using echogenic contrast agents (UCAs) which amplify the US signal. Developments in UCAs which are targeted to sites of disease allow the use of US imaging to provide molecular information. Unfortunately, traditional UCAs are too large to leave the vascular space limiting the application of molecular US to intravascular markers. In this mini review, we highlight the most recent reports on the application of molecular US imaging in the clinic and summarize the latest nanoparticle platforms used to develop nUCAs. We believe that the highlighted technologies will have a great impact on the evolution of the US imaging field.
Topics: Animals; Contrast Media; Humans; Microbubbles; Molecular Imaging; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 29631121
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.03.017 -
ACS Sensors Oct 2022Ultrasound imaging is regarded as a highly sensitive imaging modality used in routine clinical examinations. Over the last several decades, ultrasound contrast agents... (Review)
Review
Ultrasound imaging is regarded as a highly sensitive imaging modality used in routine clinical examinations. Over the last several decades, ultrasound contrast agents have been widely applied in ultrasound molecular cancer imaging to improve the detection, characterization, and quantification of tumors. To date, a few new potential preclinical and clinical applications regarding ultrasound molecular cancer imaging are being investigated. This review presents an overview of the various kinds of ultrasound contrast agents employed in ultrasound molecular imaging and advanced imaging techniques using these contrast agents. Additionally, we discuss the recent enormous development of ultrasound contrast agents in the relevant preclinical and clinical applications, highlight the recent challenges which need to be overcome to accelerate the clinical translation, and discuss the future perspective of ultrasound molecular cancer imaging using various contrast agents. As a highly promising and valuable tumor-specific imaging technique, it is believed that ultrasound molecular imaging will pave an accurate and efficient way for cancer diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Contrast Media; Ultrasonography; Molecular Imaging; Neoplasms
PubMed: 36190830
DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c01468 -
Nature Reviews. Nephrology Oct 2021In nephrology, differential diagnosis or assessment of disease activity largely relies on the analysis of glomerular filtration rate, urinary sediment, proteinuria and... (Review)
Review
In nephrology, differential diagnosis or assessment of disease activity largely relies on the analysis of glomerular filtration rate, urinary sediment, proteinuria and tissue obtained through invasive kidney biopsies. However, currently available non-invasive functional parameters, and most serum and urine biomarkers, cannot capture intrarenal molecular disease processes specifically. Moreover, although histopathological analyses of kidney biopsy samples enable the visualization of pathological morphological and molecular alterations, they only provide information about a small part of the kidney and do not allow longitudinal monitoring. These limitations not only hinder understanding of the dynamics of specific disease processes in the kidney, but also limit the targeting of treatments to active phases of disease and the development of novel targeted therapies. Molecular imaging enables non-invasive and quantitative assessment of physiological or pathological processes by combining imaging technologies with specific molecular probes. Here, we discuss current preclinical and clinical molecular imaging approaches in nephrology. Non-invasive visualization of the kidneys through molecular imaging can be used to detect and longitudinally monitor disease activity and can therefore provide companion diagnostics to guide clinical trials, as well as the safe and effective use of drugs.
Topics: Humans; Kidney Diseases; Molecular Imaging
PubMed: 34188207
DOI: 10.1038/s41581-021-00440-4 -
Seminars in Nuclear Medicine Jan 2020Despite significant advances in the understanding of microorganisms and an increased availability of antimicrobial therapy, infection remains a major cause of morbidity... (Review)
Review
Despite significant advances in the understanding of microorganisms and an increased availability of antimicrobial therapy, infection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis can be challenging and imaging studies often are used for confirmation and localization. For nearly 50 years, molecular imaging agents have played an important role in the diagnosis of infection. Gallium-67 citrate was perhaps the first molecular imaging agent used for diagnosing and localizing infection. Poor imaging characteristics, along with a lack of specificity, and the long (usually 48-72 hours) interval between administration and imaging motivated investigators to search for alternatives. Currently the role of Ga is limited to differentiating acute tubular necrosis from interstitial nephritis and as an alternative to F-FDG for indications, such as sarcoid, spondylodiscitis, and fever of unknown origin, when the latter is not available. The development, in the mid-1970s, of techniques for radiolabeling leukocytes that subsequently migrate to foci of infection was a significant advance and labeled leukocyte imaging still has a preeminent role in molecular imaging of infection. There are significant disadvantages to in-vitro labeled leukocyte imaging. Efforts devoted to developing in-vivo leukocyte labeling methods, however, met with only limited success. Over the past 20 years F-FDG has established itself as the molecular imaging agent of choice for fever of unknown origin, vasculitis, sarcoid, and spondylodiscitis. As useful as these agents are, their uptake is based on the host response to infection, not infection itself. Previous attempts at developing infection specific agents, including radiolabeled antibiotics, antibiotics, and vitamins like biotin were limited by poor results and/or limited availability and so investigators continue to focus on developing infection specific molecular imaging agents. Initial results with radiolabeled nucleoside analogs, sugars, and amino acids, and a renewed interest in radiolabeled antibiotics for both diagnosis and monitoring treatment are exciting and hold great promise for the future.
Topics: History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Infections; Molecular Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals
PubMed: 31843059
DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2019.10.002