Fluorescence-enhanced optical imaging and tomography for cancer diagnostics

The discovery and development of molecularly based drugs has been progressing at a rapid pace necessitating the development of diagnostic methods for identification of molecular targets for individual tailoring of therapy. The clinical standard of molecular imaging is currently nuclear imaging whether for planar scintigraphy imaging with gamma emitters or for tomographic imaging with gamma or positron emitters. The use of near-infrared excitable fluorescent agents conjugated to targeting moieties can also be used to provide a new, nonionizing form of molecular imaging. In this contribution, we summarize the advances in planar optical imaging as well as tomography using near-infrared fluorescent contrast agents and compare future prospects in light of the current state of nuclear imaging modalities.