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There are numerous molecular targets (cell surface receptors) of interest. In oncology, certain receptors are over-expressed during carcinogenesis and therefore represent possible targets to highlight the presence of a cancer. Examples include the HER2 receptor on breast cancer cells, and the αvß3 (alpha-v-beta-3) integrin receptor which is overexpressed in the blood vessels of a tumor, during tumor vessel growth (angiogenesis), and in atherosclerosis.
Many methods exist for designing contrast and therapeutic agents that can be targeted to specific molecules on cells and in tissue. Not only must the immunology and tumor cell biology of the cells be known, but also the time-dependent, location-dependent, and pathology-dependent expression of these receptors or molecules. The chemistry of contrast agent fabrication and conjugation is also critical.
Finally, considerable work must go into designing contrast and therapeutic agents that can help detect, diagnose, and treat disease. Various contrast agents for optical molecular imaging include fluorescent dyes, dyes that absorb light in unique ways, microspheres for carrying drugs, small liposomes, magnetically-responsive agents, plasmon-resonant nanoparticles, and wide range of nanostructures that alter the incident light in predictable ways. |
