Molecular Imaging in Pancreatic Cancer: Current Applications and Future Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Pancreatic cancer has a low survival rate due to late diagnosis and limitations of current imaging.
• Early detection and precise characterization are crucial for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in molecular imaging for pancreatic cancer.
• To highlight the potential of molecular imaging in early detection, heterogeneity assessment, and personalized therapy.

Main Methods:

• Overview of molecular imaging platforms: PET, SPECT, optical, photoacoustic, and molecular MRI.
• Discussion of molecular targets like FAP, integrins, and PD-L1.
• Evaluation of probe development and clinical translation.

Main Results:

• Molecular imaging enhances lesion detectability and characterizes tumor heterogeneity.
• Targeted probes aid in guiding therapy and surgical decisions.
• Cross-modality analysis reveals integrated strategies.

Conclusions:

• Molecular imaging is vital for advancing precision oncology in pancreatic cancer.
• Future directions include hybrid imaging, AI analytics, and theranostic platforms.