Advancements in molecular imaging probes for precision diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Jiajie FANG; Ahmad ALHASKAWI; Yanzhao DONG; Cheng CHENG; Zhijie XU; Junjie TIAN; Sahar Ahmed ABDALBARY; Hui LU

Return

Advancements in molecular imaging probes for precision diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Author: Jiajie FANG ¹ ; Ahmad ALHASKAWI ² ; Yanzhao DONG ² ; Cheng CHENG ¹ ; Zhijie XU ¹ ; Junjie TIAN ¹ ; Sahar Ahmed ABDALBARY ³ ; Hui LU ⁴
Author Information

1. Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
2. Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
3. Department of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Nahda University, Beni Suef 62511, Egypt.
4. Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China. huilu@zju.edu.cn.
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: Molecular imaging; Nanoparticle; Nuclear medicine; Prostate cancer; Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)
MeSH: Humans; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Molecular Probes; Molecular Imaging/methods*; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Positron-Emission Tomography; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; Ultrasonography; Optical Imaging; Biomarkers, Tumor; Precision Medicine/methods*
From: Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(2):124-144
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, accounting for 14.1% of new cancer cases in 2020. The aggressiveness of prostate cancer is highly variable, depending on its grade and stage at the time of diagnosis. Despite recent advances in prostate cancer treatment, some patients still experience recurrence or even progression after undergoing radical treatment. Accurate initial staging and monitoring for recurrence determine patient management, which in turn affect patient prognosis and survival. Classical imaging has limitations in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, but the use of novel molecular probes has improved the detection rate, specificity, and accuracy of prostate cancer detection. Molecular probe-based imaging modalities allow the visualization and quantitative measurement of biological processes at the molecular and cellular levels in living systems. An increased understanding of tumor biology of prostate cancer and the discovery of new tumor biomarkers have allowed the exploration of additional molecular probe targets. The development of novel ligands and advances in nano-based delivery technologies have accelerated the research and development of molecular probes. Here, we summarize the use of molecular probes in positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical imaging, and ultrasound imaging, and provide a brief overview of important target molecules in prostate cancer.