title: Molecular Imaging with MRI: Potential Application in Pancreatic Cancer.
abstract: Despite the variety of approaches that have been improved to achieve a good understanding of pancreatic cancer (PC), the prognosis of PC remains poor, and the survival rates are dismal. The lack of early detection and effective interventions is the main reason. Therefore, considerable ongoing efforts aimed at identifying early PC are currently being pursued using a variety of methods. In recent years, the development of molecular imaging has made the specific targeting of PC in the early stage possible. Molecular imaging seeks to directly visualize, characterize, and measure biological processes at the molecular and cellular levels. Among different imaging technologies, the magnetic resonance (MR) molecular imaging has potential in this regard because it facilitates noninvasive, target-specific imaging of PC. This topic is reviewed in terms of the contrast agents for MR molecular imaging, the biomarkers related to PC, targeted molecular probes for MRI, and the application of MRI in the diagnosis of PC.
authors.affiliation: Sichuan Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Wenhua Road 63, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Sichuan Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Wenhua Road 63, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, China.
authors.forename: Chang Qiang
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Sichuan Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Wenhua Road 63, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, China.
authors.forename: Tian Wu
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Sichuan Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Wenhua Road 63, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, China.
authors.forename: Meng Yue
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Sichuan Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Wenhua Road 63, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, China.
authors.forename: Xiao Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor