In Vivo Molecular Imaging with Quantum Dots: Toward Multimodality and Theranostics

Background: Cancer is a set of diseases formed by abnormal growth of cells leading to the formation of the tumor. The diagnosis can be made through symptoms’ evaluation or imaging tests, however, the techniques are limited and the tumor detection may be late. Thus, pharmaceutical nanotechnology has emerged to optimize the cancer diagnosis through nanostructured contrast agent’s development. Objective: This review aims to identify commercialized nanomedicines and patents for cancer diagnosis. Methods: The databases used for scientific articles research were Pubmed, Science Direct, Scielo and Lilacs. Research on companies’ websites and articles for the recognition of commercial nanomedicines was performed. The Derwent tool was applied for patent research. Results: This article aimed to research on nanosystems based on nanoparticles, dendrimers, liposomes, composites and quantum dots, associated to imaging techniques. Commercialized products based on metal and composite nanoparticles, associated with magnetic resonance and computed tomography, have been observed. The research conducted through Derwent tool displayed a small number of patents using nanotechnology for cancer diagnosis. Among these patents, the most significant number was related to the use of systems based on metal nanoparticles, composites and quantum dots. Conclusion: Although few systems are found in the market and patented, nanotechnology appears as a promising field for the development of new nanosystems in order to optimize and accelerate the cancer diagnosis.

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In Vivo Deep-Brain Structural and Hemodynamic Multiphoton Microscopy Enabled by Quantum Dots

Nano Letters ◽

10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01708 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (8) ◽

pp. 5260-5265 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Hongji Liu ◽

Xiangquan Deng ◽

Shen Tong ◽

Chen He ◽

Hui Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantum Dots ◽

Multiphoton Microscopy ◽

Deep Brain

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Targeting the Extracellular Matrix in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Using Molecular Imaging Insights

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22052685 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 2685

Author(s):

Lisa Adams ◽

Julia Brangsch ◽

Bernd Hamm ◽

Marcus R. Makowski ◽

Sarah Keller

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Matrix ◽

Molecular Imaging ◽

Molecular Targets ◽

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms ◽

Aortic Aneurysms ◽

Type I ◽

Target Tissue ◽

Pharmacologic Treatment ◽

Abdominal Aortic

This review outlines recent preclinical and clinical advances in molecular imaging of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with a focus on molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition, developments in pharmacologic treatment of AAA targeting the ECM will be discussed and results from animal studies will be contrasted with clinical trials. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an often fatal disease without non-invasive pharmacologic treatment options. The ECM, with collagen type I and elastin as major components, is the key structural component of the aortic wall and is recognized as a target tissue for both initiation and the progression of AAA. Molecular imaging allows in vivo measurement and characterization of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level and sets forth to visualize molecular abnormalities at an early stage of disease, facilitating novel diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. By providing surrogate criteria for the in vivo evaluation of the effects of pharmacological therapies, molecular imaging techniques targeting the ECM can facilitate pharmacological drug development. In addition, molecular targets can also be used in theranostic approaches that have the potential for timely diagnosis and concurrent medical therapy. Recent successes in preclinical studies suggest future opportunities for clinical translation. However, further clinical studies are needed to validate the most promising molecular targets for human application.

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Multi-Modal Multi-Spectral Intravital Microscopic Imaging of Signaling Dynamics in Real-Time during Tumor–Immune Interactions

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10030499 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 499

Author(s):

Tracy W. Liu ◽

Seth T. Gammon ◽

David Piwnica-Worms

Keyword(s):

Molecular Imaging ◽

Single Cell ◽

Real Time ◽

Bioluminescence Imaging ◽

Emission Spectra ◽

Ccd Camera ◽

Microscopic Imaging ◽

Signaling Dynamics ◽

Window Chamber

Intravital microscopic imaging (IVM) allows for the study of interactions between immune cells and tumor cells in a dynamic, physiologically relevant system in vivo. Current IVM strategies primarily use fluorescence imaging; however, with the advances in bioluminescence imaging and the development of new bioluminescent reporters with expanded emission spectra, the applications for bioluminescence are extending to single cell imaging. Herein, we describe a molecular imaging window chamber platform that uniquely combines both bioluminescent and fluorescent genetically encoded reporters, as well as exogenous reporters, providing a powerful multi-plex strategy to study molecular and cellular processes in real-time in intact living systems at single cell resolution all in one system. We demonstrate that our molecular imaging window chamber platform is capable of imaging signaling dynamics in real-time at cellular resolution during tumor progression. Importantly, we expand the utility of IVM by modifying an off-the-shelf commercial system with the addition of bioluminescence imaging achieved by the addition of a CCD camera and demonstrate high quality imaging within the reaches of any biology laboratory.

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Preclinical Evaluation of [18F]FACH in Healthy Mice and Piglets: An 18F-Labeled Ligand for Imaging of Monocarboxylate Transporters with PET

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22041645 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 1645

Author(s):

Daniel Gündel ◽

Masoud Sadeghzadeh ◽

Winnie Deuther-Conrad ◽

Barbara Wenzel ◽

Paul Cumming ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Imaging ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Specific Binding ◽

Monocarboxylate Transporters ◽

Binding Potential ◽

Kidney Cortex ◽

Binding Studies ◽

Imaging Tool ◽

Pre Treatment

The expression of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) is linked to pathophysiological changes in diseases, including cancer, such that MCTs could potentially serve as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets. We recently developed [18F]FACH as a radiotracer for non-invasive molecular imaging of MCTs by positron emission tomography (PET). The aim of this study was to evaluate further the specificity, metabolic stability, and pharmacokinetics of [18F]FACH in healthy mice and piglets. We measured the [18F]FACH plasma protein binding fractions in mice and piglets and the specific binding in cryosections of murine kidney and lung. The biodistribution of [18F]FACH was evaluated by tissue sampling ex vivo and by dynamic PET/MRI in vivo, with and without pre-treatment by the MCT inhibitor α-CCA-Na or the reference compound, FACH-Na. Additionally, we performed compartmental modelling of the PET signal in kidney cortex and liver. Saturation binding studies in kidney cortex cryosections indicated a KD of 118 ± 12 nM and Bmax of 6.0 pmol/mg wet weight. The specificity of [18F]FACH uptake in the kidney cortex was confirmed in vivo by reductions in AUC0–60min after pre-treatment with α-CCA-Na in mice (−47%) and in piglets (−66%). [18F]FACH was metabolically stable in mouse, but polar radio-metabolites were present in plasma and tissues of piglets. The [18F]FACH binding potential (BPND) in the kidney cortex was approximately 1.3 in mice. The MCT1 specificity of [18F]FACH uptake was confirmed by displacement studies in 4T1 cells. [18F]FACH has suitable properties for the detection of the MCTs in kidney, and thus has potential as a molecular imaging tool for MCT-related pathologies, which should next be assessed in relevant disease models.

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