Optical molecular imaging for tumor detection and image-guided surgery

Area of Science:

• Biomedical imaging
• Molecular imaging
• Cancer diagnostics

Background:

• Significant advancements in fluorescence molecular imaging for solid tumors over the last decade.
• Identification of cancer-specific biomarkers (e.g., cell surface receptors, hypoxia, proteases, acidosis) for distinguishing tumors from normal tissues.
• Development of optical imaging probes to target these biomarkers, enhancing tumor contrast.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent progress in 'always-ON' and stimuli-activatable fluorescent imaging probes.
• To discuss the potential of these probes in tumor detection and image-guided surgery.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on fluorescent imaging probes for cancer.
• Characterization of biomarkers unique to cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment.
• Analysis of probe design strategies for improved tumor targeting and signal generation.

Main Results:

• Progress in developing both 'always-ON' and stimuli-activatable fluorescent probes.
• Demonstration of improved tumor contrast and specificity using targeted probes.
• Highlighting the advantages of fluorescent imaging: safety, high spatial resolution, and real-time capability.

Conclusions:

• Fluorescence molecular imaging is a highly adoptable clinical tool for tumor detection and image-guided surgery.
• Targeted fluorescent probes show great promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and surgical precision.
• Continued development of novel probes will further advance cancer imaging applications.