title: Non-invasive molecular imaging of prostate cancer lymph node metastasis.
abstract: Imaging in medicine has been classically based on the anatomical description of organs. In the past 15 years, new imaging techniques based on gene expression that characterize a pathological process have been developed. Molecular imaging is the use of such molecules to image cell-specific characteristics. Here, we review recent advances in molecular imaging, taking as our prime example lymph node (LN) metastasis in prostate cancer. We describe the new techniques and compare their accuracy in detecting LN metastasis in prostate cancer. We also present new molecular strategies for improving tumor detection using adenoviruses, molecular promoters and amplification systems. Finally, we present the concept of 'in vivo pathology', which envisages using molecular imaging to accurately localize metastatic lesions based on the molecular signature of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pouliot
authors.forename: Mai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Lily
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography