Identify. Quantify. Predict. Why Immunologists Should Widely Use Molecular Imaging for Coronavirus Disease 2019

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Molecular imaging, particularly PET/CT and PET/MRI, has advanced from experimental use to integral diagnostic roles in oncology, cardiology, and neurology.
• It enables in-vivo imaging and quantitation of molecular signatures, such as glucose metabolism in cancer.
• Novel PET tracers, including radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), provide target-specific, quantitative in-vivo data on pathomechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on medical imaging in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), with a specific focus on molecular imaging.
• To provide a perspective for immunologists on molecular imaging research for COVID-19, including available probes and future targets.
• To highlight key targets for tailored treatment approaches in COVID-19 management.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on molecular imaging techniques applied to COVID-19.
• Focus on positron emission tomography (PET) tracers, including metabolism probes and radiolabeled peptides/antibodies.
• Discussion of in-vivo imaging capabilities for assessing immune-mediated responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Main Results:

• Molecular imaging successfully maps disease severity and guides targeted therapies in oncology.
• Its application in COVID-19 could identify, localize, and quantify immune responses during acute and chronic phases.
• Potential for extracting imaging biomarkers to serve as prognostic indicators in COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• Molecular imaging holds significant potential for managing COVID-19 by visualizing immune responses and organ involvement.
• Validated molecular probes and future targets can aid in understanding SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and developing tailored treatments.
• Further research integrating molecular imaging into COVID-19 management strategies is warranted.