Nuclear imaging in cancer theranostics

The combination of a diagnostic test with a therapeutic entity is termed theranostics. The diagnostic test aims at identifying patients who will likely benefit from a specific therapeutic intervention, fail to respond or eventually manifest side effects to a given drug. The appropriate selection of patients for innovative therapies would promote an enrichment of patient population that can potentiate clinical trials and, eventually, accelerate the drug development process. For these reasons, many drug companies adopted a theranostic approach as a new and promising avenue for drug development. From an historical perspective, the concepts underlying the theranostic strategy are well known in nuclear medicine and constituted the basis of many nuclear imaging procedures currently used in clinical practice. Nevertheless the adoption of these concepts by regulatory authorities is a real progress and reflects the remarkable advances in the development of drugs against molecular targets. In this respect, the oncological field provides the strongest evidence of the clinical need to link diagnostics to therapeutics. Here, we review the contribution that non-invasive nuclear imaging may give to cancer theranostics and report prominent examples of nuclear imaging procedures that can be coupled to specific therapies. The main focus lies on imaging procedures that can identify patients who will benefit from molecularly targeted therapy or are going to fail to respond to standard treatment.

Multimodality imaging: novel pharmacological applications of reporter systems

The development of novel drugs is a lengthy process requiring years of preclinical research and many steps indispensable to ensure that the molecule of interest can be administered to humans with a minimal risk of toxic effects. Even a minimal reduction in the initial stages of drug development would result in a tremendous saving in time; therefore, pharmaceutical companies are eager to apply novel methodologies that shorten the time required for pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies to be carried out in vitro and in animal systems. Currently, quantitative analysis of molecular events in living organisms is done with the combined application of imaging and genetic engineering technologies. In vivo imaging provides surrogate endpoints that can improve the identification of new drug candidates and speed up their research at preclinical stages. The integration of reporter systems in animal models of human diseases represents a reachable frontier that will dramatically advance drug development in terms of costs, time and efficacy. The present review outlines the applicability of imaging technologies for drug development and presents a panorama on the state of the art of currently available imaging technologies suitable for preclinical studies, with particular focus on bioluminescence and fluorescence as the methodologies of election.

Radiolabelled chemotherapeutics

During the past 3 decades various chemotherapeutics have been directly or indirectly radiolabeled for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Several of these radiolabeled chemotherapeutics have been injected into patients for the purpose of better understanding their biodistribution and metabolism and to assess whether there exists a relationship between their uptake in tumor tissue and response to treatment. Based on available data, it may be concluded that PET or SPECT imaging with radiolabeled chemotherapeutics provides valuable information that helps to better understand the mechanism of action and the metabolic conversion of unlabeled chemotherapeutics in humans and that helps to provide a rationale for the lack of response to certain chemotherapeutics or for the beneficial effect of biomodulating agents. As for their utility as predictors of response to therapy, their utility is limited to those agents given in monotherapy.

Nuclear medicine applications in molecular imaging: 2007 update

This review examines several classes of radiolabeled agents, including analogs localizing in somatostatin, benzodiazepine and dopamine receptors; analogs of progesterone and estrogen; and agents localizing in lesions with hypoxia. It concludes the status of agents advocated for detecting angiogenesis and inflammation. The current clinical status of these agents, and their potential roles in diagnosis and treatment are discussed.

Role of in vivo imaging of the central nervous system for developing novel drugs

Over the past decade imaging technologies employed in clinical neurosciences have significantly advanced. Imaging is not only used for the diagnostic work-up of neurological disorders but also crucial to follow up on therapeutic efforts. Using disease-specific imaging parameters, as read-outs for the efficiency of individual therapies, has facilitated the development of various novel treatments for neurological disease. Here, we review various imaging technologies, such as cranial computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS), positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), with respect to their current applications in non-invasive disease phenotyping and the measurement of therapeutic outcomes in neurology. In particular, applications in neuro-oncology, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cerebral ischemia are discussed. Non-invasive imaging provides further insights into the molecular pathophysiology of human diseases and facilitates the design and implementation of improved therapies.

[Molecular imaging: future uses in arthritides]

Molecular imaging is an upcoming field in radiology as a result of great advances in imaging technology, genetics, and biochemistry in the recent past. Early-stage imaging of molecular pathological changes in cells opens the gates to new methods in medical treatment of diseases that otherwise would only be detected in advanced stages. Methods of imaging biochemical pathways with molecular agents are currently an issue of intensive research. This article reviews current modalities of molecular imaging in arthritis that should offer future perspective on early disease detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of treatment efficiency and how they can pave the way to optimized therapy.

Recent advances in surface plasmon resonance based techniques for bioanalysis

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a powerful and versatile spectroscopic method for biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA) and has been well reviewed in previous years. This updated 2006 review of SPR, SPR spectroscopy, and SPR imaging explores cutting-edge technology with a focus on material, method, and instrument development. A number of recent SPR developments and interesting applications for bioanalysis are provided. Three focus topics are discussed in more detail to exemplify recent progress. They include surface plasmon fluorescence spectroscopy, nanoscale glassification of SPR substrates, and enzymatic amplification in SPR imaging. Through these examples it is clear to us that the development of SPR-based methods continues to grow, while the applications continue to diversify. Major trends appear to be present in the development of combined techniques, use of new materials, and development of new methodologies. Together, these works constitute a major thrust that could eventually make SPR a common tool for surface interaction analysis and biosensing. The future outlook for SPR and SPR-associated BIA studies, in our opinion, is very bright. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a powerful and versatile spectroscopic method for biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA) and has been well reviewed in previous years. This updated 2006 review of SPR, SPR spectroscopy, and SPR imaging explores cutting-edge technology with a focus on material, method, and instrument development. A number of recent SPR developments and interesting applications for bioanalysis are provided. Three focus topics are discussed in more detail to exemplify recent progress. They include surface plasmon fluorescence spectroscopy, nanoscale glassification of SPR substrates, and enzymatic amplification in SPR imaging. Through these examples it is clear to us that the development of SPR-based methods continues to grow, while the applications continue to diversify. Major trends appear to be present in the development of combined techniques, use of new materials, and development of new methodologies. Together, these works constitute a major thrust that could eventually make SPR a common tool for surface interaction analysis and biosensing. The future outlook for SPR and SPR-associated BIA studies, in our opinion, is very bright.

Von vulnerablem Plaque bis Infarktheilung – neue Perspektiven in der Kardiologie mit molekularer Bildgebung

We will witness a change of paradigm in cardiovascular imaging, which is empowered by advances in imaging technology, biochemistry, molecular biology and nanotechnology. Instead of simply following the physical distribution of established contrast agents, we now have the opportunity to noninvasively image biological processes such as enzyme activity, interaction with cell surface markers, gene expression and cell migration. These advancements open up new avenues in basic cardiovascular research and will greatly speed up the pace of discovery. Patient management will profit as well: cardiovascular molecular imaging will strengthen personlized and prophylactic medicine through timely and precise diagnostics. In our review we describe selected molecular imaging strategies in atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia and healing.

Molecularly imprinted polymers in clinical diagnostics—Future potential and existing problems

The last five years have witnessed a fast progress in the area of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). These have included the development of rational protocols for polymer design (combinatorial and computational), the development of MIPs compatible for use in aqueous environment and the development of various procedures for the integration of MIPs with sensors. The substantial improvements in the performance of imprinted polymers have also been accompanied by a growing number of MIP publications related to solving practical problems associated with their use, e.g. in environmental and clinical analysis. This paper furnishes a detailed analysis of recent achievements in MIPs design and applications related to healthcare, made by our group as well as others worldwide.

Nanoparticles for multiplex diagnostics and imaging

The drive to understand biology and medicine at the molecular level with accurate quantitation demands much of current high-throughput analysis systems. Nanomaterials and nanotechnology combined with modern instrumentation have the potential to address this emerging challenge. Using a variety of nanomaterials for multiplex diagnostics and imaging applications will offer sensitive, rapid and cost-effective solutions for the modern clinical laboratory. New nanomaterials have been developed with optical-encoding capabilities for selective tagging of a wide range of medically important targets, including bacteria, cancer cells and individual molecules, such as proteins and DNA, in a single assay. We envision further development in this field will provide numerous advanced tools with increased sensitivity and improved multiplexing capability, for unique applications in molecular biology, genomics and drug discovery.

Nanoparticles and their biological and environmental applications

Nanoparticles exhibit unique physical properties (such as particle aggregation and photoemission, and electrical and heat conductivities) and chemical properties (such as catalytic activity), and hence have received much attention from scientists and researchers in different areas of biological sciences. In this review, we briefly summarize the major types of nanoparticle that have been used so far and discuss the possible applications of these nanoparticles in biological and environmental research, and the potential environmental and health impacts associated with the use of these nanoparticles.

Future lab-on-a-chip technologies for interrogating individual molecules

Advances in technology have allowed chemical sampling with high spatial resolution and the manipulation and measurement of individual molecules. Adaptation of these approaches to lab-on-a-chip formats is providing a new class of research tools for the investigation of biochemistry and life processes.

Molecular Beacons for DNA Binding Proteins: An Emerging Technology for Detection of DNA Binding Proteins and Their Ligands

Quantitation of the level or activity of specific proteins is one of the most commonly performed experiments in biomedical research. Protein detection has historically been difficult to adapt to high throughput platforms because of heavy reliance upon antibodies for protein detection. Molecular beacons for DNA binding proteins is a recently developed technology that attempts to overcome such limitations. Protein detection is accomplished using inexpensive, easy-to-synthesize oligonucleotides, accompanied by a fluorescence readout. Importantly, detection of the protein and reporting of the signal occur simultaneously, allowing for one-step protocols and increased potential for use in high throughput analysis. While the initial iteration of the technology allowed only for the detection of sequence-specific DNA binding proteins, more recent adaptations allow for the possibility of development of beacons for any protein, independent of native DNA binding activity. Here, we discuss the development of the technology, the mechanism of the reaction, and recent improvements and modifications made to improve the assay in terms of sensitivity, potential for multiplexing, and broad applicability.

Nanoscopic medicine: the next frontier

The extraordinary progress that has taken place in cell science and optical nanoscale microscopy has led recently to the concept of medical nanoscopy. Here, we lay out a concept for developing live cell nanoscopy into a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic scheme referred to as nanoscopic medicine, which integrates live cell nanoscopy with the structural and functional studies of nanoscopic protein machines (NPMs), the systems biology of NPMs, fluorescent labeling, nanoscopic analysis, and nanoscopic intervention, in order to advance the medical frontier toward the nanoscopic fundament of the cell. It aims at the diagnosis and therapy of diseases by directly visualizing, analyzing, and modifying NPMs and their networks in living cells and tissues.

The Diffusion of New Imaging Technologies: A Molecular Imaging Prospective

Molecular imaging is a complex of technologies that will diffuse into clinical practice over the next 10 to 20 years. Because of characteristics of both the technology and the environment, molecular imaging has the potential to be disruptive to conventional radiology practice. Environmental influences, including scientific and clinical characteristics of the technology, the interests of commercial firms, competition among radiologists and with other specialists, and regulation and reimbursement decision making will influence both the pace of diffusion and the eventual success of various molecular imaging technologies. Molecular imaging poses both threats and exciting opportunities for radiologists. Radiologists must decide how they wish to cope with the advent of molecular imaging, choosing for the present among ignoring its potential, attempting to fit molecular imaging into current practice models, or morphing how they practice to accommodate molecular imaging as a part of radiologic practice.

Primer on molecular imaging technology

A wide range of technologies is available for in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro molecular and cellular imaging. This article focuses on three key in vivo imaging system instrumentation technologies used in the molecular imaging research described in this special issue of Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging: positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and bioluminescence imaging. For each modality, the basics of how it works, important performance parameters, and the state-of-the-art instrumentation are described. Comparisons and integration of multiple modalities are also discussed. The principles discussed in this article apply to both human and small animal imaging.

Highly multiplexed molecular inversion probe genotyping: over 10,000 targeted SNPs genotyped in a single tube assay

Large-scale genetic studies are highly dependent on efficient and scalable multiplex SNP assays. In this study, we report the development of Molecular Inversion Probe technology with four-color, single array detection, applied to large-scale genotyping of up to 12,000 SNPs per reaction. While generating 38,429 SNP assays using this technology in a population of 30 trios from the Centre d'Etude Polymorphisme Humain family panel as part of the International HapMap project, we established SNP conversion rates of approximately 90% with concordance rates >99.6% and completeness levels >98% for assays multiplexed up to 12,000plex levels. Furthermore, these individual metrics can be "traded off" and, by sacrificing a small fraction of the conversion rate, the accuracy can be increased to very high levels. No loss of performance is seen when scaling from 6,000plex to 12,000plex assays, strongly validating the ability of the technology to suppress cross-reactivity at high multiplex levels. The results of this study demonstrate the suitability of this technology for comprehensive association studies that use targeted SNPs in indirect linkage disequilibrium studies or that directly screen for causative mutations.