Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Preclinical Positron Emission Tomography with Body Conforming Animal Molds for Cloud-Based Automated Image Analysis in Mice
Published on: October 25, 2024
Non-invasive molecular imaging for preclinical cancer therapeutic development
A C O'Farrell1, S D Shnyder, G Marston
1Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract:
Molecular and non-invasive imaging are rapidly emerging fields in preclinical cancer drug discovery. This is driven by the need to develop more efficacious and safer treatments, the advent of molecular-targeted therapeutics, and the requirements to reduce and refine current preclinical in vivo models. Such bioimaging strategies include MRI, PET, single positron emission computed tomography, ultrasound, and optical approaches such as bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging. These molecular imaging modalities have several advantages over traditional screening methods, not least the ability to quantitatively monitor pharmacodynamic changes at the cellular and molecular level in living animals non-invasively in real time. This review aims to provide an overview of non-invasive molecular imaging techniques, highlighting the strengths, limitations and versatility of these approaches in preclinical cancer drug discovery and development.
Insights
Non-invasive molecular imaging techniques like MRI and PET are revolutionizing preclinical cancer drug discovery by enabling real-time monitoring of drug effects in vivo. These methods offer advantages over traditional screening for developing safer and more effective cancer therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Preclinical cancer research
- Molecular imaging
- Drug discovery
Background:
- Emerging need for efficacious and safer cancer treatments.
- Development of molecular-targeted therapeutics.
- Requirement to reduce and refine preclinical in vivo models.
Purpose of the Study:
- Provide an overview of non-invasive molecular imaging techniques.
- Highlight their strengths, limitations, and versatility.
- Focus on applications in preclinical cancer drug discovery and development.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- Single Positron Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
- Ultrasound
- Optical imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging)
Main Results:
- Non-invasive molecular imaging allows real-time, in vivo monitoring.
- Quantitative assessment of pharmacodynamic changes at cellular and molecular levels.
- Advantages over traditional screening methods in preclinical studies.
Conclusions:
- Non-invasive molecular imaging is a powerful tool in preclinical cancer drug discovery.
- These techniques offer quantitative, real-time insights into drug efficacy and safety.
- Versatility of modalities like MRI, PET, and optical imaging supports development of novel cancer therapeutics.
