Photoacoustic imaging at the interface of cellular theranostics

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Cell-derived therapies are promising
• living
• medicines but lack real-time in vivo tracking of cell location, function, and viability.
• This limits clinical implementation and therapeutic efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in photoacoustic (PA) imaging for tracking cell-based therapies.
• To highlight the integration of multifunctional nanoplatforms for theranostics (therapy and diagnostics).

Main Methods:

• Exploration of photoacoustic (PA) imaging principles and contrast agent selection.
• Review of cutting-edge strategies for cell tracking using PA imaging.
• Discussion of nanoplatform integration for theranostic applications.

Main Results:

• PA imaging combines optical molecular contrast with acoustic spatial resolution and depth.
• Multifunctional nanoplatforms enable simultaneous imaging and therapeutic delivery.
• Successful applications demonstrated in tracking stem cells, immune cells, and bacteria.

Conclusions:

• PA imaging is a powerful tool for monitoring cell-based therapies in vivo.
• Theranostic nanoplatforms enhance the clinical translation of cell therapies.
• PA imaging holds significant potential for cancer diagnostics and infectious disease monitoring.