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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Radiol. Jul 28, 2014; 6(7): 459-470
Published online Jul 28, 2014. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v6.i7.459
Published online Jul 28, 2014. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v6.i7.459
Echographic imaging of tumoral cells through novel nanosystems for image diagnosis
Marco Di Paola, Fernanda Chiriacò, Giulia Soloperto, Francesco Conversano, Sergio Casciaro, Nanoimaging LAB and Bioengineering Division of the National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Sergio Casciaro, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica (CNR-IFC) c/o Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Author contributions: All the authors were involved in the design and writing the manuscript; Casciaro S conceived and coordinated the scientific work for the manuscript.
Supported by Bando Laboratori, DD MIUR 14.5.2005 n.602/Ric/2005 of the Italian Ministry of Instruction and Research, No. DM18604; by FESR P.O. Apulia Region 2007-2013, Action 1.2.4, No. 3Q5AX31; and by the Progetto Bandiera NANOMAX ENCODER
Correspondence to: Dr. Sergio Casciaro, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica (CNR-IFC) c/o Campus Ecotekne, via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy. sergio.casciaro@cnr.it
Telephone: +39-0832-422310 Fax: +39-0832-422341
Received: January 29, 2014
Revised: April 25, 2014
Accepted: May 16, 2014
Published online: July 28, 2014
Revised: April 25, 2014
Accepted: May 16, 2014
Published online: July 28, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The development of novel nanomaterials specifically targeting diseased cells has made possible their employment as nanosized contrast agents also for non-ionizing molecular imaging techniques namely, magnetic resonance, ultrasound and optical imaging. Among them, ultrasound imaging might represent the best choice because of its low cost, ease of use and wide availability in clinical practice. Unfortunately, their actual employment in molecular imaging is limited due to their low tissue contrast discrimination. Hence, the described development of novel ultrasound targeted contrast agent may play a crucial role for their use in clinical molecular imaging.