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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Computed Tomography-guided Time-domain Diffuse Fluorescence Tomography in Small Animals for Localization of Cancer Biomarkers
Published on: July 17, 2012
Concept of a selective tumour therapy and its evaluation by near-infrared fluorescence imaging and flat-panel volume
Frauke Alves1, Christian Dullin, Joanna Napp
1Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Goettingen, Germany. falves@gwdg.de
Abstract:
Conventional chemotherapy of cancer has its limitations, especially in advanced and disseminated disease and suffers from lack of specificity. This results in a poor therapeutic index and considerable toxicity to normal organs. Therefore, many efforts are made to develop novel therapeutic tools against cancer with the aim of selectively targeting the drug to the tumour site. Drug delivery strategies fundamentally rely on the identification of good-quality biomarkers, allowing unequivocal discrimination between cancer and healthy tissue. At present, antibodies or antibody fragments have clearly proven their value as carrier molecules specific for a tumour-associated molecular marker. This present review draws attention to the use of near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging to investigate binding specificity and kinetics of carrier molecules such as monoclonal antibodies. In addition, flat-panel volume computed tomography (fpVCT) will be presented to monitor anatomical structures in tumour mouse models over time in a non-invasive manner. Each imaging device sheds light on a different aspect; functional imaging is applied to optimise the dose schedule and the concept of selective tumour therapies, whereas anatomical imaging assesses preclinically the efficacy of novel tumour therapies. Both imaging techniques in combination allow the visualisation of functional information obtained by NIRF imaging within an adequate anatomic framework.
Insights
Novel imaging techniques, near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) and flat-panel volume computed tomography (fpVCT), enhance targeted cancer therapy. Combining these methods allows precise visualization of drug delivery and tumor response in preclinical models.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Conventional chemotherapy lacks specificity, leading to toxicity and limited efficacy in advanced cancers.
- Targeted drug delivery strategies require reliable biomarkers to differentiate tumor from healthy tissue.
- Antibodies are effective carrier molecules for tumor-specific molecular markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging for assessing carrier molecule binding specificity and kinetics.
- To introduce flat-panel volume computed tomography (fpVCT) for non-invasive monitoring of anatomical structures in tumor models.
- To highlight the combined use of NIRF and fpVCT for optimizing targeted cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing NIRF imaging to investigate the binding specificity and kinetics of monoclonal antibodies.
- Employing fpVCT for longitudinal, non-invasive anatomical assessment of tumor mouse models.
- Integrating functional (NIRF) and anatomical (fpVCT) imaging data.
Main Results:
- NIRF imaging provides insights into the functional aspects of targeted drug delivery and dose scheduling.
- fpVCT enables preclinical assessment of novel therapeutic efficacy through anatomical monitoring.
- Combined imaging offers a comprehensive framework for visualizing functional data within an anatomical context.
Conclusions:
- The combination of NIRF and fpVCT imaging represents a powerful preclinical tool for developing targeted cancer therapies.
- This integrated approach facilitates the optimization of drug delivery, dose regimens, and therapeutic efficacy assessment.
- These advanced imaging modalities are crucial for advancing selective tumor therapies and improving patient outcomes.
