Multimodality Imaging in Tumor Angiogenesis: Present Status and Perspectives
Artor Niccoli Asabella1, Alessandra Di Palo2, Corinna Altini3
1Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy. artor.niccoliasabella@uniba.it.
Abstract:
Angiogenesis is a complex biological process that plays a central role in progression of tumor growth and metastasis. It led to a search for antiangiogenic molecules, and to design antiangiogenic strategies for cancer treatment. Noninvasive molecular imaging, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), could be useful for lesion detection, to select patients likely to respond to antiangiogenic therapies, to confirm successful targeting, and dose optimization. Additionally, nuclear imaging techniques could also aid in the development of new angiogenesis-targeted drugs and their validation. Angiogenesis imaging can be categorized as targeted at three major cell types: (I) non-endothelial cell targets, (II) endothelial cell targets, and (III) extracellular matrix proteins and matrix proteases. Even if radiopharmaceuticals studying the metabolism and hypoxia can be also used for the study of angiogenesis, many of the agents used in nuclear imaging for this purpose are yet to be investigated. The purpose of this review is to describe the role of molecular imaging in tumor angiogenesis, highlighting the advances in this field.
Insights
Molecular imaging techniques like PET and SPECT are crucial for understanding tumor angiogenesis. These methods aid in detecting lesions, selecting patients for antiangiogenic therapies, and validating new cancer drugs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is vital for tumor growth and metastasis.
- Antiangiogenic therapies aim to inhibit this process for cancer treatment.
- Molecular imaging offers noninvasive tools for assessing angiogenesis in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of molecular imaging in visualizing tumor angiogenesis.
- To highlight advancements in nuclear imaging techniques for angiogenesis research.
- To discuss the potential of imaging in guiding antiangiogenic cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Categorization of angiogenesis imaging targets (non-endothelial cells, endothelial cells, extracellular matrix).
- Discussion of nuclear imaging modalities like PET and SPECT.
- Exploration of radiopharmaceuticals for targeting angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- Molecular imaging can detect lesions, predict treatment response, and optimize drug dosage.
- Nuclear imaging aids in the development and validation of novel antiangiogenic drugs.
- Current imaging agents are being investigated for their efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Molecular imaging is a valuable tool in the study and treatment of tumor angiogenesis.
- Further research is needed to fully explore the potential of nuclear imaging agents.
- Imaging plays a key role in personalized cancer therapy targeting angiogenesis.
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