Title:Molecular Imaging of Therapeutic Potential of Reporter Probes
Volume: 16
Issue: 6
Author(s): Bhushan Thakur, Subhoshree Chatterjee, Smrita Chaudhury and Pritha Ray
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Imaging, reporter gene, reporter probe.
Abstract: Success of medical treatments for any pathological disorders majorly depends on the efficacy
of the therapeutic molecules and their delivery to the target sites. Non-invasive molecular imaging
technologies have emerged as prime methods for validating both these aspects ranging from preclinical
level to clinical application. Reporter genes and the respective reporter probes are essential
components of molecular functional imaging that gained wide popularity throughout the world due to
easy adaptation, user friendly software and cost-effective experiments. However, to monitor the therapeutic
effects, reporter gene-reporter probes (RG-RP) are often combined with separate introductions
of therapeutics whose delivery at target sites are not appropriately measured. A small group of reporter genes is associated
with probes that behave like a signature as well as a therapeutic molecule thereby having theranostic properties. This Reporter
Gene-Therapeutic Reporter Probe (RG-TRP) system bears additional advantages over RG-RP system and holds the
promise of direct translational applications in humans. This short review focuses on describing the currently available and
validated RG-TRP systems, delivery vehicles, associated imaging modalities, applications in various pathological conditions
along with the merits and demerits. Identification of new RG-TRP system will open new direction in theranostic imaging
with potential human applications.
