Molecular Imaging Meet Shows Biomarkers Key to Early Detection of Cancer, Heart Disease, Alzheimer’s

Advances in noninvasive imaging technology to detect molecular biomarkers in science were presented at an international molecular imaging meeting.

The World Molecular Imaging Congress (WMIC) 2013 was held in September held in Savannah, GA, USA. Using a multimodality imaging approach, Dr. Bernd Pichler and colleagues from the University of Tubingen (Germany) detected an important protein biomarker that is related to decreased brain perfusion during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which may lead to earlier identification and monitoring of disease progression. Findings of the study add critical information into disease progression and growth that may improve the ability to identify ideal therapeutic windows for amyloid targeting therapies.

One of the goals of molecular imaging in oncology is to develop imaging probes that target the tumor with high sensitivity and specificity. The discovery of effective cell-surface markers for lung cancer is a key first step in the development of lung cancer specific molecular imaging probes. Fluorescently-labeled targeted probes can be designed for real-time surgical guidance. In the study, Dr. David Morse and colleagues at the Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa, FL, USA), presented findings about the detection of cell-surface protein biomarkers in lung tumors using optical imaging techniques. The fluorescent Dmt-Tic probes revealed high selectivity and affinity for the δ-opioid receptor, which should enable the use of these probes for guidance during lung cancer resection.

As another instance of the many oncology biomarkers presented at the WMIC, protein biomarkers that stimulate the growth of breast tumors have been detected using ultrasound imaging by Dr. Juergen Willman and collaborators from Stanford University (Stanford, CA, USA) in their study. Findings suggest that VEGFR [vascular endothelial growth factor receptor]2-targeted ultrasound molecular imaging allows for a very accurate and effective detection of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ; or also known as intraductal carcinoma), the most typical type of noninvasive breast cancer in a transgenic mouse model. Imaging tumor angiogenesis on a molecular level using ultrasound molecular imaging may be a promising approach for earlier detection and improved characterization of breast cancer in future clinical trials.

The use of nanoparticles from drug delivery is well established in the oncology field; however, there are limited findings on the use in atherosclerotic plaque. In the study, Dr. Zahi Fayad and collaborators, from Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York, NY, USA), investigated the use of an innovative nanosized iron particle to target a protein biomarker in atherosclerotic plaque deposits in blood vessels, which could improve the ability to detect and diagnose the disease before the plaque can rupture and cause a heart attack. Results demonstrated uptake in atherosclerosis is very similar to targeting in cancer, suggesting that nanoparticles may also be effective for drug delivery to atherosclerotic plaques. The findings also demonstrated that three-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced MRI can be used to detect these nanoparticles in the plaques.

“Proteins are the machines that perform almost all functions within the body, including tumors. Detecting protein biomarkers, the key cogs within the protein machinery, can lead to earlier diagnoses of heart disease, cancer and other conditions and provide outstanding targets for therapies. The significant advances in imaging molecular biomarkers being presented at this year’s World Molecular Imaging Congress, demonstrate the progress towards early disease diagnoses that will impact healthcare,” said Marty Pagel, PhD, from the University of Arizona Cancer Center (Tucson, USA).

This year’s World Molecular Imaging Congress program consisted of 168 oral presentations and 35 spotlight presentations highlighting five categories: chemistry and imaging probes, first-in-human and clinical studies, preclinical cell and tissue level studies, preclinical in vivo studies, technology and software development, with over 60 industry exhibitors.

Related Links:
World Molecular Imaging Congress
University of Tubingen
Mount Sinai School of Medicine