title: Harnessing the potential of noninvasive in vivo preclinical imaging of the immune system: challenges and prospects.
abstract: Preclinical imaging has become a powerful method for investigation of in vivo processes such as pharmacokinetics of therapeutic substances and visualization of physiologic and pathophysiological mechanisms. These are important aspects to understand diseases and develop strategies to modify their progression with pharmacologic interventions. One promising intervention is the application of specifically tailored nanoscale particles that modulate the immune system to generate a tumor targeting immune response. In this complex interaction between immunomodulatory therapies, the immune system and malignant disease, imaging methods are expected to play a key role on the way to generate new therapeutic strategies. Here, we summarize examples which demonstrate the current potential of imaging methods and develop a perspective on the future value of preclinical imaging of the immune system.
authors.affiliation: TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diken
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pektor
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miederer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D056747:Immunomodulation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: PET; bioluminescence imaging; fluorescence imaging; immune intervention; immune system; optical imaging; preclinical imaging