title: Cancer imaging: Gene transcription-based imaging and therapeutic systems.
abstract: Molecular-genetic imaging of cancer is in its infancy. Over the past decade gene reporter systems have been optimized in preclinical models and some have found their way into the clinic. The search is on to find the best combination of gene delivery vehicle and reporter imaging system that can be translated safely and quickly. The goal is to have a combination that can detect a wide variety of cancers with high sensitivity and specificity in a way that rivals the current clinical standard, positron emission tomography with [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose. To do so will require systemic delivery of reporter genes for the detection of micrometastases, and a nontoxic vector, whether viral or based on nanotechnology, to gain widespread acceptance by the oncology community. Merger of molecular-genetic imaging with gene therapy, a strategy that has been employed in the past, will likely be necessary for such imaging to reach widespread clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
authors.forename: Hyo-eun C
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Bhang
authors.forename: Martin G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pomper
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D061206:Neoplasm Micrometastasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D009928:Organ Specificity; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18