The Current Status and Future Directions on Nanoparticles for Tumor Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging is an advanced technology that utilizes specific probes or markers in conjunction with cutting-edge imaging techniques to observe and analyze the localization, distribution, activity, and interactions of biomolecules within living organisms. Tumor molecular imaging, by enabling the visualization and quantification of molecular characteristics of tumor cells, facilitates a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of tumors, providing valuable insights for early diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and cancer biology research. However, the image quality of molecular imaging still requires improvement, and nanotechnology has significantly propelled the advancement of molecular imaging. Currently, nanoparticle-based tumor molecular imaging technologies encompass radionuclide imaging, fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, photoacoustic imaging, and multimodal imaging, among others. As our understanding of the tumor microenvironment deepens, the design of nanoparticle probes for tumor molecular imaging has also evolved, offering new perspectives and expanding the applications of tumor molecular imaging. Beyond diagnostics, there is a marked trend towards integrated diagnosis and therapy, with image-guided treatment playing a pivotal role. This includes image-guided surgery, photodynamic therapy, and chemodynamic therapy. Despite continuous advancements and innovative developments in molecular imaging, many of these remain in the experimental stage and require breakthroughs before they can be fully integrated into clinical practice.