PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Jaesok Yu
AU  - Ho Nhu Y. Nguyen
AU  - Wiendelt Steenbergen
AU  - Kang Kim
TI  - Recent Development of Technology and Application of Photoacoustic Molecular Imaging Toward Clinical Translation
AID  - 10.2967/jnumed.117.201459
DP  - 2018 Aug 01
TA  - Journal of Nuclear Medicine
PG  - 1202--1207
VI  - 59
IP  - 8
4099  - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/59/8/1202.short
4100  - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/59/8/1202.full
SO  - J Nucl Med2018 Aug 01; 59
AB  - The deep imaging capability and optical absorption contrast offered by photoacoustic imaging promote the use of this technology in clinical applications. By exploiting the optical absorption properties of endogenous chromophores such as hemoglobin and lipid, molecular information at a depth of a few centimeters can be unveiled. This information shows promise to reveal lesions indicating early stage of various human diseases, such as cancer and atherosclerosis. In addition, the use of exogenous contrast agents can further extend the capability of photoacoustic imaging in clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this review, the current state of the art and applications of photoacoustic molecular probes will be critically reviewed, as well as some spearheading translational efforts that have taken place over the past 5 years. Some of the most critical barriers to clinical translation of this novel technology will be discussed, and some thoughts will be given on future endeavors and pathways.