Fluorescence optical imaging in anticancer drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery
• Biomedical Imaging
• Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

• Nanosized drug delivery systems are extensively researched for targeted delivery and controlled release.
• Understanding pharmacokinetics is essential for clinical translation of these systems.
• Fluorescence imaging is a prevalent tool in preclinical research for tracking nanomedicines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the applications and limitations of non-invasive imaging techniques in drug delivery, focusing on anticancer therapy.
• To detail the use of fluorescence imaging at cellular and systemic levels.
• To explore theranostics and multimodal imaging combinations for simultaneous treatment and imaging.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on non-invasive imaging techniques for nanomedicine.
• Detailed discussion of fluorescence imaging principles and applications in drug delivery.
• Exploration of theranostic concepts and combined imaging modalities (e.g., fluorescence and CT).

Main Results:

• Fluorescence imaging offers versatile applications for tracking nanocarriers in vitro and in vivo.
• Advancements in fluorescent dyes enhance imaging capabilities across visible to near-infrared spectra.
• Theranostics and combined imaging show promise for integrated diagnosis and therapy.

Conclusions:

• Non-invasive imaging, especially fluorescence imaging, is crucial for advancing nanomedicine in cancer treatment.
• Addressing limitations and exploring multimodal approaches will accelerate clinical applications.
• The integration of imaging and therapy via theranostics represents a significant future direction.