title: Novel imaging modalities for immune cell monitoring in the intestine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The introduction of novel molecular imaging modalities that can not only define disease states on the basis of structural changes and morphology, but also allow in-vivo visualization and characterization of molecular and biochemical alterations on a cellular level add a new dimension to our current diagnostic possibilities. The advents of innovative endoscopic devices coupled with the introduction of novel targeting ligands contribute to the recent advances made in the field of molecular imaging. The purpose of this review is to present and discuss the concepts and the potential of novel endoscopic imaging modalities for immune cell monitoring in the intestine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recent progress concerning molecular imaging studies in animals and human patients implicates that this approach can be used to improve detection of mucosal lesions in wide-field imaging and for in-vivo characterization of the mucosa with the ultimate goal of assessing the likelihood of response to targeted therapy with biological agents. In particular, molecular endomicroscopy for assessment of mucosal immune responses ('immunoendoscopy') emerges as a novel approach for optimized endoscopic diagnosis and individualized therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Molecular imaging modalities in the intestine have the immediate potential to have an impact on current clinical practice and could therefore open new frontiers for clinical endoscopy and give hope for improved diagnosis and targeted therapies.
authors.affiliation: aMedical Clinic 1, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg bLudwig Demling Excellence Center for Endoscopy, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Raja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Atreya
authors.forename: Markus F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Neurath
mesh_terms: D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity