The Role of Optical Imaging in Translational Nanomedicine

Abstract

Nanomedicines have been a major research focus in the past two decades and are increasingly emerging in a broad range of clinical applications. However, a proper understanding of their biodistribution is required to further progress the field of nanomedicine. For this, imaging methods to monitor the delivery and therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles are urgently needed. At present, optical imaging is the most common method used to study the biodistribution of nanomaterials, where the unique properties of nanomaterials and advances in optical imaging can jointly result in novel methods for optimal monitoring of nanomaterials in preclinical animal models. This review article aims to give an introduction to nanomedicines and their translational impact to highlight the potential of optical imaging to study the biodistribution of nanoparticles and to monitor the delivery and therapeutic efficacy at the preclinical level. After introducing both domains, the review focuses on different techniques that can be used to overcome some intrinsic limitations of optical imaging and how this can specifically benefit nanoparticle studies. Finally, we point out some important key features of nanoparticles that currently hinder their full potential in the clinic and how the advances in optical imaging can help to provide us with the information needed to further boost the clinical translation and expand the field of nanomedicines.

Tumor-tropic Trojan horses: Using mesenchymal stem cells as cellular nanotheranostics

“…Imaging modalities used for cellular nanotheranostics include MRI 75 , PAI 76 , and fluorescence imaging 77 , all of which can use NPs as imaging agents. MRI is the only modality for which NPs have been clinically approved as imaging agents: superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) NPs have been used for diagnosis of liver cancer 78 and lymph node metastases 79 , 80 .…”

“…AuNPs are preferred for PAI due to their high and stable signal and size- and shape-tuneable absorption rates 86 . Fluorescence imaging has been performed with a wide range of NPs that are either inherently fluorescent or loaded with fluorophores, including semiconducting polymer NPs and inorganic NP-based fluorescent probes such as QDs 77 , 87 .…”

Revealing tumor cells and tissues with high selectivity through folic acid-targeted nanofluorescence probes responsive to acidic microenvironments

“…Fluorescence imaging has emerged as a convenient and safe tracer technique for labeling various tissues in organisms ( 1 – 3 ). To date, numerous fluorescent probes have been developed, with 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BDY) garnering significant attention owing to its robust ultraviolet absorption, exceptional physical stability, high fluorescence peak intensity, adjustable emission properties, and superior quantum yield ( 4 ).…”