Molecular Imaging for Early Cancer Diagnosis
Ikalo David Oseghale *
Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Imade Omoregie
Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Godwin Mmaduabuchi Ikokwu
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Molecular imaging is quickly gaining acceptance as a technique that has the potential to enhance every aspect of cancer treatment. Oncologists use molecular imaging to characterize and measure important biomolecules and molecularly based events that are essential to the malignant state in living organisms. New molecular imaging methods have the potential to greatly improve cancer treatment's diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Novel molecular enhancers for imaging modalities including US, CT, MRI, and PET, in especially for solid tumors, may enable earlier and more precise diagnosis and staging, which are necessary for effective surgical therapy. Over the past few decades, medical imaging has grown significantly and is now a key component of clinical oncology. Molecularly tailored imaging agents are the imaging technology of the future for the treatment of cancer patients. Molecular imaging is distinct from traditional anatomical imaging in that it makes use of imaging probes to see the target molecules. By enabling earlier diagnoses, gauging early treatment response, and predicting treatment response, molecular imaging is expected to have a significant impact on oncology and personalized medicine. This review article describes the characteristics of molecular imaging methods and their capabilities of early cancer diagnosis. This review study was performed on the literature sourced from the World Health Organization (WHO) and scientific citation websites such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Researchgate and Web of Science until December 2022.
Keywords: Cancer, molecular imaging, diagnostic imaging, cancer diagnosis, characterization