Multimodal molecular imaging in the second near-infrared window

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Nanotechnology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Near-infrared-II (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging provides high spatiotemporal resolution for noninvasive biological studies.
• Limited penetration depth of conventional NIR-II fluorescence restricts deep anatomical visualization.
• Multimodal imaging strategies are crucial for overcoming the depth limitations of single-modality techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of NIR-II-based dual/multimodal imaging probes.
• To highlight recent advances in bioimaging and therapeutic applications utilizing these probes.
• To summarize trends and future directions for NIR-II activated multimodal probes in clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Integration of NIR-II fluorescence imaging with complementary modalities like photoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging.
• Development and application of multifunctional probes designed for dual/multimodal imaging.
• Review of seminal studies and emerging trends in the field.

Main Results:

• Multimodal imaging approaches significantly improve penetration depth and anatomical detail compared to NIR-II alone.
• Multifunctional probes enable simultaneous acquisition of anatomical, quantitative, and functional information.
• NIR-II based multimodal imaging shows promise for enhanced diagnostics and targeted therapies.

Conclusions:

• NIR-II based multimodal imaging probes represent a significant advancement in preclinical and potentially clinical bioimaging.
• Further development is needed to optimize probe design and address challenges for clinical translation.
• These integrated imaging strategies offer powerful tools for deeper biological investigation and personalized medicine.