About this Research Topic
Molecular imaging is a type of medical imaging that allows scientists and physicians to see what is happening inside the body at the molecular and cellular level, providing unique information to assist in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and management of cancer and other diseases. Of these, immunoPET (antibody-targeted positron emission tomography) is a technique that allows us to track and quantify monoclonal antibodies that are attached to a PET-emitting radioisotope that can be detected using a PET scanner. In addition, as the weak tumor penetration and longer serum half-life of monoclonal antibodies are significant obstacles in creating high-contrast images, tumor-targeting functional antibody fragments with a short circulation time such as nanobodies or with an enhanced binding affinity such as bispecific antibodies are being used to design novel immunoPET probes for imaging of cancer and other diseases.
The clinical application of immuno-PET imaging has increased the understanding of tumor heterogeneity and refined clinical disease management. This non-invasive technique combines the high sensitivity and resolution of PET imaging with the precision, specificity, and affinity of a monoclonal antibody, allowing disease diagnosis, staging, response assessment, and detection of tumor recurrence. ImmunoPET is the method of choice not only for imaging specific tumor markers but also for immune cells, immune checkpoints, and inflammatory processes. Also, antibody-based PET ligands can penetrate the blood–brain barrier and visualize targets in the brain.
The present Research Topic welcomes articles reporting original research and reviews about the role of ImmunoPET in the diagnosis and therapy assessment in several diseases. The Research Topic will cover, but is not limited to, the following:
• ImmunoPET in oncological diseases
• ImmunoPET in infectious diseases
• ImmunoPET in neurological diseases
• ImmunoPET in drug development
Topic Editor M.A.M is the co-founder and partner of Cyclomed Technologies. Topic Editor F.M. is an advisor for Image Group Analysis. Topic Editor F.L-P. declares no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: PET, Oncology, ImmunoPET, Preclinical Research, Neurology, Infection
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
