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Published on: March 24, 2013
Imaging Cell Death: Focus on Early Evaluation of Tumor Response to Therapy
Dongjian Zhang1,2, Qiaomei Jin1,2, Cuihua Jiang1,2
1Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Cell death plays a prominent role in the treatment of cancer, because most anticancer therapies act by the induction of cell death including apoptosis, necrosis, and other pathways of cell death. Imaging cell death helps to identify treatment responders from nonresponders and thus enables patient-tailored therapy, which will increase the likelihood of treatment response and ultimately lead to improved patient survival. By taking advantage of molecular probes that specifically target the biomarkers/biochemical processes of cell death, cell death imaging can be successfully achieved. In recent years, with the increased understanding of the molecular mechanism of cell death, a variety of well-defined biomarkers/biochemical processes of cell death have been identified. By targeting these established cell death biomarkers/biochemical processes, a set of molecular imaging probes have been developed and evaluated for early monitoring treatment response in tumors. In this review, we mainly present the recent advances in identifying useful biomarkers/biochemical processes for both apoptosis and necrosis imaging and in developing molecular imaging probes targeting these biomarkers/biochemical processes, with a focus on their application in early evaluation of tumor response to therapy.
Insights
Molecular imaging probes targeting cell death biomarkers like apoptosis and necrosis can identify cancer treatment responders early. This enables personalized therapy, improving patient survival and treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cell death, including apoptosis and necrosis, is crucial for cancer treatment efficacy.
- Identifying treatment responders early is key to personalized cancer therapy and improved patient survival.
- Molecular imaging offers a non-invasive approach to monitor treatment response by visualizing cell death processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in molecular imaging probes for cell death.
- To highlight biomarkers and biochemical processes for apoptosis and necrosis imaging.
- To focus on the application of these probes in early tumor response evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Development and evaluation of molecular imaging probes targeting specific cell death biomarkers.
- Utilizing probes that detect biochemical processes of apoptosis and necrosis.
- Reviewing studies on the application of these probes in preclinical and clinical settings.
Main Results:
- Several molecular imaging probes targeting apoptosis and necrosis biomarkers have been developed.
- These probes show promise in early detection of treatment response in tumors.
- Advances in understanding cell death mechanisms have facilitated probe development.
Conclusions:
- Molecular imaging of cell death is a valuable tool for assessing cancer therapy response.
- Targeting specific cell death biomarkers with advanced probes enables early treatment evaluation.
- This approach supports personalized medicine strategies for improved cancer patient outcomes.
