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Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official... Oct 2020The important insights yielded by molecular imaging (MI) into relevant biologic signatures at an organ-specific and systemic level are not achievable with conventional...
The important insights yielded by molecular imaging (MI) into relevant biologic signatures at an organ-specific and systemic level are not achievable with conventional imaging methods and thus provide an essential link between preclinical and clinical research. New diagnostic probes and imaging methods revealing comprehensive functional and molecular information are being provided by MI research, several of which have found their way into clinical application. However, there are also reservations about the impact of MI and its added value over conventional, often less expensive, diagnostic imaging methods. This perspective discusses seminal research directions for the MI field that have the potential to result in added value to the patient. Emphasis is placed on MI without probes, MI based on radiotracers and small molecules, MI nano- and microsystems, and MI in context with comprehensive diagnostics. Furthermore, besides technical innovations and probes, emerging clinical indications are highlighted.
Topics: Humans; Luminescent Measurements; Molecular Imaging; Multimodal Imaging
PubMed: 32859706
DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.120.241984 -
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine... Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Amyloidosis; Molecular Imaging; Cardiomyopathies
PubMed: 38713297
DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06739-1 -
Analytical Sciences : the International... 2018In vivo molecular imaging is a powerful tool to analyze the human body. Precision medicine is receiving high attention these days, and molecular imaging plays an... (Review)
Review
In vivo molecular imaging is a powerful tool to analyze the human body. Precision medicine is receiving high attention these days, and molecular imaging plays an important role as companion diagnostics in precision medicine. Nuclear imaging with PET or SPECT and optical imaging technologies are used for in vivo molecular imaging. Nuclear imaging is superior for quantitative imaging, and whole-body analysis is possible even for humans. Optical imaging is superior due to its ease of use, and highly targeted specific imaging is possible with activatable agents. However, with optical imaging using fluorescence, it is difficult to obtain a signal from deep tissue and quantitation is difficult due to the attenuation and scattering of the fluorescent signal. Recently, to overcome these issues, optoacoustic imaging has been used in in vivo imaging. In this article, we review in vivo molecular imaging with nuclear and optical imaging and discuss their utility for precision medicine.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Optical Imaging; Precision Medicine; Therapeutics
PubMed: 29526893
DOI: 10.2116/analsci.34.273 -
Nanoscale Apr 2020As the complications of atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction and stroke are still one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, the development of new... (Review)
Review
As the complications of atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction and stroke are still one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, the development of new diagnostic tools for the early detection of plaque instability and thrombosis is urgently needed. Advanced molecular imaging probes based on functional nanomaterials in combination with cutting edge imaging techniques are now paving the way for novel and unique approaches to monitor the inflammatory progress in atherosclerosis. This review focuses on the development of various molecular probes for the diagnosis of plaques and thrombosis in atherosclerosis, along with perspectives of their diagnostic applications in cardiovascular diseases. Specifically, we summarize the biological targets that can be used for atherosclerosis and thrombosis imaging. Then we describe the emerging molecular imaging techniques based on the utilization of engineered nanoprobes together with their challenges in clinical translation.
Topics: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Disease Progression; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Molecular Probes; Multimodal Imaging; Nanostructures; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Thrombosis
PubMed: 32239038
DOI: 10.1039/d0nr00599a -
Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and... Mar 2013Imaging of the eye plays an important role in ocular therapeutic discovery and evaluation in preclinical models and patients. Advances in ophthalmic imaging... (Review)
Review
Imaging of the eye plays an important role in ocular therapeutic discovery and evaluation in preclinical models and patients. Advances in ophthalmic imaging instrumentation have enabled visualization of the retina at an unprecedented resolution. These developments have contributed toward early detection of the disease, monitoring of disease progression, and assessment of the therapeutic response. These powerful technologies are being further harnessed for clinical applications by configuring instrumentation to detect disease biomarkers in the retina. These biomarkers can be detected either by measuring the intrinsic imaging contrast in tissue, or by the engineering of targeted injectable contrast agents for imaging of the retina at the cellular and molecular level. Such approaches have promise in providing a window on dynamic disease processes in the retina such as inflammation and apoptosis, enabling translation of biomarkers identified in preclinical and clinical studies into useful diagnostic targets. We discuss recently reported and emerging imaging strategies for visualizing diverse cell types and molecular mediators of the retina in vivo during health and disease, and the potential for clinical translation of these approaches.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Retinal Diseases; Retinal Ganglion Cells
PubMed: 23421501
DOI: 10.1089/jop.2012.0279 -
Neuroscience Bulletin Apr 2018Advances in radionuclide tracers have allowed for more accurate imaging that reflects the actions of numerous neurotransmitters, energy metabolism utilization,... (Review)
Review
Advances in radionuclide tracers have allowed for more accurate imaging that reflects the actions of numerous neurotransmitters, energy metabolism utilization, inflammation, and pathological protein accumulation. All of these achievements in molecular brain imaging have broadened our understanding of brain function in Parkinson's disease (PD). The implementation of molecular imaging has supported more accurate PD diagnosis as well as assessment of therapeutic outcome and disease progression. Moreover, molecular imaging is well suited for the detection of preclinical or prodromal PD cases. Despite these advances, future frontiers of research in this area will focus on using multi-modalities combining positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging along with causal modeling with complex algorithms.
Topics: Brain; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Neuroimaging; Parkinson Disease
PubMed: 29282614
DOI: 10.1007/s12264-017-0202-6 -
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology Aug 2018By acoustically detecting the optical absorption contrast, photoacoustic (PA) tomography (PAT) has broken the penetration limits of traditional high-resolution optical... (Review)
Review
By acoustically detecting the optical absorption contrast, photoacoustic (PA) tomography (PAT) has broken the penetration limits of traditional high-resolution optical imaging. Through spectroscopic analysis of the target's optical absorption, PAT can identify a wealth of endogenous and exogenous molecules and thus is inherently capable of molecular imaging with high sensitivity. PAT's molecular sensitivity is uniquely accompanied by non-ionizing radiation, high spatial resolution, and deep penetration in biological tissues, which other optical imaging modalities cannot achieve yet. In this concise review, we summarize the most recent technological advancements in PA molecular imaging and highlight the novel molecular probes specifically made for PAT in deep tissues. We conclude with a brief discussion of the opportunities for future advancements.
Topics: Animals; Equipment Design; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Molecular Probes; Photoacoustic Techniques; Tomography
PubMed: 29631120
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.03.016 -
The Lancet. Gastroenterology &... Oct 2016Endoscopy uses optical imaging methods to investigate tissue in a non-destructive manner with high resolution over a broad range of wavelengths, thus providing a... (Review)
Review
Endoscopy uses optical imaging methods to investigate tissue in a non-destructive manner with high resolution over a broad range of wavelengths, thus providing a powerful tool to rapidly visualise mucosal surfaces in the digestive tract. Molecular imaging is an important advancement that has been clinically demonstrated for early cancer detection and guidance of therapy. With this approach, imaging can be used to observe expression patterns of molecular targets to improve understanding of key biological mechanisms that drive disease progression. Prototype devices that collect fluorescence for wide-field or microscopic images have been developed. Several targeting moieties, including enzyme-activatable probes, antibodies, peptides, and lectins, have been administered in preclinical and clinical imaging studies in vivo. These emerging technologies provide useful approaches to study molecular events in different signalling pathways, producing insights that could lead to improved interventions to prevent and treat gastrointestinal diseases. In this Review, we introduce the basic concepts that form the foundation for development of molecular endoscopy and summarise key results from preclinical and clinical studies.
Topics: Animals; Contrast Media; Digestive System Diseases; Disease Models, Animal; Endoscopy, Digestive System; Humans; Molecular Imaging
PubMed: 28404071
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(16)30027-9 -
Radiologic Technology 2010Molecular imaging, based largely on recent advances in genetics, genomics and high-throughput computational analysis, uses isotope-labeled probes to target specific cell... (Review)
Review
Molecular imaging, based largely on recent advances in genetics, genomics and high-throughput computational analysis, uses isotope-labeled probes to target specific cell surface molecules, tumor proteins and enzymes. This cross-disciplinary imaging modality undoubtedly will make profound changes in medical, surgical and radiologic practice. Physiology-based imaging modalities naturally are relevant for molecular studies. As a relatively new discipline, molecular imaging is accompanied by much hope for improved cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Topics: Genomics; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Neoplasms
PubMed: 20826600
DOI: No ID Found -
Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014Atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized countries. Despite recent advances in the... (Review)
Review
Atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized countries. Despite recent advances in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease, a substantial number of patients still die from acute coronary syndromes. Recently, atherosclerotic plaque composition rather than the degree of arterial stenosis has been shown to reflect the plaque vulnerability, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Vulnerable plaques have a large lipidrich necrotic core, a thin-fibrous cap and numerous inflammatory cells. Among them, macrophage activation plays a central role in vascular inflammation and plaque instability within the atherosclerosis, being strongly involved in acute coronary syndromes. Various morphologic features of plaque vulnerability have been described by computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, intravascular ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography. Molecular imaging is the tool best suited for identifying metabolically active macrophages. Indeed, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is capable of identifying and quantifying vascular inflammation characterized by macrophage activation within the atherosclerotic plaques. So, FDG-PET might be a feasible clinical tool for detecting vulnerable plaques and evaluating the efficacy of drugs in plaque instability. In this paper, we review the clinical utility of FDG-PET imaging in identifying patients at risk of plaque rupture and resultantly prone to cardiovascular disease.
Topics: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Diagnostic Imaging; Humans; Inflammation; Molecular Imaging; Vascular Diseases
PubMed: 23844819
DOI: 10.2174/13816128113199990479