Potential of Molecular Imaging to Advance Molecular Medicine

Abstract

Molecular imaging is a technology that allows for non-invasive interrogation of physiological
and biochemical processes in the body. Over the years, the use of Molecular Imaging is on
the rise, especially towards diagnosing cancer and monitoring treatment. Molecular Imaging
has a significant role to play at preclinical and translational stages in the field of Molecular
Medicine. Molecular Imaging tools include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic
Resonance spectroscopy (MRS), Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography
(PET), Ultrasound (US), and Optical Imaging among many more. While CT and MRI
remains as first-line tools for diagnosing ailments by the clinicians, pre-clinical and clinical
use of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is steadily rising. Newer PET probes are being
developed and being evaluated for their effectiveness in patient care and disease management.
While this technology has tremendously benefitted the pre-clinical research, it has also become
one of the indispensable tools in the clinic. In addition, now PET is proven to be quite helpful in
expediting the drug development and discovery efforts. Over the last two decade, a significant
progress is made towards expanding the role of Molecular Imaging. It plays significant role in
Oncology, Neurology, ageing, drug abuse, and cardiac applications. With increased acceptance
of this modality in the clinics around the world, there is a growing interest in utilizing PET to
target biological systems and to assess the outcome of certain treatments in patients.