What Are the Types of Molecular Imaging Techniques?
Various molecular imaging techniques are employed in cancer research and clinical practice. Some of the most common include:
PET: Uses radioactive tracers to measure metabolic activity and visualize fast-growing cancer cells. MRI: Provides high-resolution images of soft tissues and can be enhanced with contrast agents to highlight specific molecular features. SPECT: Similar to PET but uses gamma-emitting radioisotopes to create detailed 3D images. Optical Imaging: Utilizes fluorescent or bioluminescent markers to visualize cancer cells in real-time. Ultrasound: Can be combined with microbubbles or nanoparticles to target specific molecular markers.
