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Updated: Apr 29, 2026
Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging of Interscapular Brown Adipose Tissue
Published on: October 7, 2014
Molecular imaging using nanoparticle quenchers of Cerenkov luminescence
Daniel L J Thorek1, Sudeep Das, Jan Grimm
1Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
Abstract:
Cerenkov luminescence (CL) imaging is an emerging technique that collects the visible photons produced by radioisotopes. Here, molecular imaging strategies are investigated that switch the CL signal off. The noninvasive molecularly specific detection of cancer is demonstrated utilizing a combination of clinically approved agents, and their analogues. CL is modulated in vitro in a dose dependent manner using approved small molecules (Lymphazurin), as well as the clinically approved Feraheme and other preclinical superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO). To evaluate the quenching of CL in vivo, two strategies are pursued. [(18) F]-FDG is imaged by PET and CL in tumors prior to and following accumulation of nanoparticles. Initially, non-targeted particles are administered to mice bearing tumors in order to attenuate CL. For targeted imaging, a dual tumor model (expressing the human somatostatin receptor subtype-2 (hSSTr2) and a control negative cell line) is used. Targeting hSSTr2 with octreotate-conjugated SPIO, quenched CL enabling non-invasive distinction between tumors' molecular expression profiles is demonstrated. In this work, the quenching of Cerenkov emissions is demonstrated in several proof of principle models using a combination of approved agents and nanoparticle platforms to provide disease relevant information including tumor vascularity and specific antigen expression.
Insights
This study demonstrates switching off Cerenkov luminescence (CL) imaging signals using nanoparticles. This technique allows for non-invasive, molecularly specific cancer detection by distinguishing tumor types based on their expression profiles.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical imaging
- Molecular imaging
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cerenkov luminescence (CL) imaging utilizes photons from radioisotopes for molecular imaging.
- Developing strategies to control or switch off CL signals is crucial for enhanced specificity and signal-to-noise ratio.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate molecular imaging strategies that modulate (switch off) Cerenkov luminescence (CL) signals.
- To demonstrate non-invasive, molecularly specific cancer detection using CL signal quenching.
- To evaluate the use of clinically approved agents and nanoparticle platforms for CL modulation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro modulation of CL using small molecules (Lymphazurin) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO).
- In vivo evaluation using [18F]-FDG PET and CL imaging in tumor-bearing mice.
- Utilizing non-targeted and targeted SPIO (octreotate-conjugated SPIO) to quench CL in dual tumor models.
Main Results:
- CL signal was dose-dependently modulated in vitro by approved agents and SPIO.
- In vivo, nanoparticle accumulation attenuated CL signals in tumors.
- Targeted SPIO successfully quenched CL, enabling non-invasive distinction between tumors with different molecular expression profiles (hSSTr2).
Conclusions:
- Quenching of Cerenkov emissions is feasible using approved agents and nanoparticle platforms.
- This approach provides disease-relevant information, including tumor vascularity and specific antigen expression.
- The developed strategies offer a promising method for non-invasive molecularly specific cancer detection.
