Nuclear and optical dual-labelled imaging agents. Design and challenges

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Molecular Imaging
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Molecular imaging visualizes biochemical processes at the molecular level.
• Dual-labelled modalities like nuclear imaging (PET, SPECT) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) offer high detection sensitivity.
• Novel materials are crucial for developing non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic monitoring strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of dual-labelled agents for bimodal nuclear/optical imaging.
• To highlight their application in cancer medicine for tumor detection and image-guided surgery.
• To discuss various designs including modular ligands and nanoscale systems.

Main Methods:

• Combining radionuclides and fluorescent dyes in imaging agents.
• Utilizing modular ligands for agent design.
• Developing nanoscale systems such as antibodies and their fragments.

Main Results:

• Dual-labelled agents show promise for combined nuclear and optical imaging.
• These agents facilitate tracking of tumors and metastases.
• The combination enables image-guided surgery for improved tumor resection.

Conclusions:

• Bimodal nuclear/optical imaging agents represent a significant advancement in molecular imaging.
• They offer a powerful tool for early cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
• Further development of these agents, including nanoscale systems, is crucial for clinical translation.