Non-invasive molecular imaging such as PET enables longitudinal measurements in rodent models to be made and facilitates a direct comparison with the human disease.
Preclinical molecular imaging such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) using small animals is increasingly being recognized as an important tool for cardiovascular research [1,2].
In recent years, molecular imaging, such as MR molecular imaging, has become a new option for the early diagnosis and treatment of tumors because of its good spatial resolution and average contrast agent sensitivity [3, 4].
Several types of tools have been developed for molecular imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and optical fluorescence [6].
Molecular imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), plays an important role in molecular or individual medicine, which enables us to visualize the molecular targets and diagnose complex diseases noninvasively [1, 2].
Therefore there is a need to train Nuclear Oncologists, who are able to approach oncological diseases, promote development of radiopharmacy, understand the biology of radionuclide treatment, apply radionuclide treatments and be able to use molecular imaging such as PET/CT and SPECT/CT for treatment planning and dosimetry.
To obtain metabolic/functional information of tissues through PET scans, molecular imaging probes, such as 18F-FDG and NaF, are used to interrogate specific targets such as cell surface receptors, enzymes, and structural proteins [2].
As such, recent developments have been focused on the ability to visualize inflammation in vivo using molecular imaging techniques, such as intravital microscopy using fluorescent antibodies, nanoparticles and transgenic animals that express fluorescent proteins (Miyahara et al., 2004; Shen et al., 2007).
Noninvasive molecular imaging techniques such as PET/CT can be used to probe the microenvironment of tumors in vivo.
The LabPET™, an avalanche photodiode-based small animal PET scanner dedicated to molecular imaging, allows such developments.
Considering molecular imaging applications such as immunoPET, intact antibodies are limited due to their extended serum persistence resulting in a high background signal.
