Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
J Nucl Med. 2018 Aug;59(8):1202-1207. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.117.201459. Epub 2018 May 31.
The deep imaging capability and optical absorption contrast offered by photoacoustic imaging promote the use of this technology in clinical applications. By exploiting the optical absorption properties of endogenous chromophores such as hemoglobin and lipid, molecular information at a depth of a few centimeters can be unveiled. This information shows promise to reveal lesions indicating early stage of various human diseases, such as cancer and atherosclerosis. In addition, the use of exogenous contrast agents can further extend the capability of photoacoustic imaging in clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this review, the current state of the art and applications of photoacoustic molecular probes will be critically reviewed, as well as some spearheading translational efforts that have taken place over the past 5 years. Some of the most critical barriers to clinical translation of this novel technology will be discussed, and some thoughts will be given on future endeavors and pathways.
光声成像是一种极具潜力的医学影像技术，它利用光声效应将光声信号转换为可视化图像，从而提供高分辨率和深度穿透的组织成像能力。其深层成像能力和光吸收对比特性促进了该技术在临床应用中的应用。通过利用血红蛋白和脂质等内源性色团的光学吸收特性，可以揭示几厘米深的分子信息。这些信息有望揭示各种人类疾病（如癌症和动脉粥样硬化）的早期病变。此外，外源性对比剂的使用可以进一步扩展光声成像在临床诊断和治疗中的应用。在这篇综述中，将批判性地回顾光声分子探针的最新技术和应用，以及过去 5 年来一些开创性的转化努力。还将讨论将这项新技术进行临床转化所面临的一些最关键的障碍，并对未来的努力和途径进行一些思考。
