High-resolution Cherenkov tomography in vivo

Molecularly generated light and its biomedical applications

Molecularly generated light, referred to here as "molecular light", mainly includes bioluminescence, chemiluminescence, and Cerenkov luminescence. Molecular light possesses unique dual features of being both a molecule and a source of light. Its molecular nature enables it to be delivered as molecules to regions deep within the body, overcoming the limitations of natural sunlight and physically generated light sources like lasers and LEDs. Simultaneously, its light properties make it valuable for applications such as imaging, photodynamic therapy, photo-oxidative therapy, and photobiomodulation. In this review article, we provide an updated overview of the diverse applications of molecular light and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of molecular light across various domains. Lastly, we present forward-looking perspectives on the potential of molecular light in the realms of molecular imaging, photobiological mechanisms, therapeutic applications, and photobiomodulation. While some of these perspectives may be considered bold and contentious, our intent is to inspire further innovations in the field of molecular light applications.

Novel Agents and Future Perspectives on Theranostics

In the current era of precision medicine, there is renewed interest in radiopharmaceutical therapy and theranostics. The approval of somatostatin receceptor directed therapy and norepinephrine transporter targeted ¹³¹I-MIBG therapies by the FDA and the rapid progress of highly promising beta and alpha emitter tagged PSMA directed therapy of prostate cancer have stimulated clinically impactful changes in practice. Many novel strategies are being explored and novel radiopharmaceutical therapeutic agents including peptide based ligands as well as antibodies or antibody fragments are being developed preclinically or are in early phase clinical trials. While beta particle emitters have most commonly been used for targeted radiotherapy and radioimmunotargeting, there is an emerging interest in alpha emitters that cause greater density of ionization events leading to increased double-strand DNA damage and cluster breaks because of the high-energy particles within a shorter tissue range of penetration and thereby lower toxicity to adjacent normal tissues.