Quo Vadis, Molecular Imaging?

Journal of Nuclear Medicine, vol. 61, pp. 1428–1434

Abstract

The important insights yielded by molecular imaging (MI) into relevant biologic signatures at an organ-specific and systemic level are not achievable with conventional imaging methods and thus provide an essential link between preclinical and clinical research. New diagnostic probes and imaging methods revealing comprehensive functional and molecular information are being provided by MI research, several of which have found their way into clinical application. However, there are also reservations about the impact of MI and its added value over conventional, often less expensive, diagnostic imaging methods. This perspective discusses seminal research directions for the MI field that have the potential to result in added value to the patient. Emphasis is placed on MI without probes, MI based on radiotracers and small molecules, MI nano- and microsystems, and MI in context with comprehensive diagnostics. Furthermore, besides technical innovations and probes, emerging clinical indications are highlighted.

Authors 3

1. Jan Grimm

   Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Weill Cornell Medicine

   Affiliation as printed

   Molecular Pharmacology Program and Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Pharmacology Program and Department of Radiology, Weil Cornell Medical College, New York, New York grimmj@mskcc.org

   Molecular Pharmacology Program and Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Pharmacology Program and Department of Radiology, Weil Cornell Medical College, New York, New York

2. Fabian M. Kiessling Aachen Center for Biohybrid Medical Systems (CBMS) Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging

   RWTH Aachen University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Biohybrid Medical Systems, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany, and Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine, Bremen, Germany; and

   Center for Biohybrid Medical Systems, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany, and Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine, Bremen, Germany

3. Bernd J. Pichler

   University of Tübingen

   Affiliation as printed

   Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany, and Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany