Abstract
Nanotechnology has played a tremendous role in molecular imaging and cancer therapy. Over the last decade, scientists have worked exceptionally to translate nanomedicine into clinical practice. However, although several nanoparticle-based drugs are now clinically available, there is still a vast difference between preclinical products and clinically approved drugs. An efficient translation of preclinical results to clinical settings requires several critical studies, including a detailed, highly sensitive, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution study, and selective and efficient drug delivery to the target organ or tissue. In this context, technetium-99m (99mTc)-based radiolabeling of nanoparticles allows easy, economical, non-invasive, and whole-body in vivo tracking by the sensitive clinical imaging technique single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Hence, a critical analysis of the radiolabeling strategies of potential drug delivery and therapeutic systems used to monitor results and therapeutic outcomes at the preclinical and clinical levels remains indispensable to provide maximum benefit to the patient. This review discusses up-to-date 99mTc radiolabeling strategies of a variety of important inorganic and organic nanoparticles and their application to preclinical imaging studies.
Highlights
A variety of radiolabeled nanoparticles have been developed as useful radiotracers, and these materials, such as gamma camera or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging (Indium-111, Technetium-99m, Iodine-125, etc.), positron emission tomography (PET) imaging (Flourine-18, Zirconium-89, Copper-64, Gallium-68, etc.), radioisotope therapy (Copper-67, Lutetium-177, Astatine-211, Actinium-225, Yitrium-90, etc.) and dual modality imaging have been applied to nuclear medicine
Mesoporous silica NPs have a rigid structure with porous morphology and large surface area, enabling the attachment of various drugs, tumor targeting peptides and proteins, functional groups, chelators, and radioisotopes [47]
The results showed that aptamer-loaded mesoporous silica NPs are of great practical interest and can be a potential candidate in nuclear medicine [48]
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Molecular imaging is a single or combination of various modalities for the non-invasive visualization, characterization, monitoring, and measurement of various biological events at the cellular level in cancer patients [4]. Various imaging technologies have been considered to combine the advantages of different modalities and minimize the limitations These combinations of imaging facilities, called multimodality imaging, provide better and more comprehensive data regarding disease and ongoing medication and treatment procedures [13]. Multimodality imaging systems such as SPECT/CT, SPECT/MRI, PET/CT, and PET/MRI are commercially available, and rigorous research is continuing to improve their quality [14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
