Improved pentamethine cyanine nanosensors for optoacoustic imaging of pancreatic cancer

Optoacoustic imaging is a new biomedical imaging technology with clear benefits over traditional optical imaging and ultrasound. While the imaging technology has improved since its initial development, the creation of dedicated contrast agents for optoacoustic imaging has been stagnant. Current exploration of contrast agents has been limited to standard commercial dyes that have already been established in optical imaging applications. While some of these compounds have demonstrated utility in optoacoustic imaging, they are far from optimal and there is a need for contrast agents with tailored optoacoustic properties. The synthesis, encapsulation within tumor targeting silica nanoparticles and applications in in vivo tumor imaging of optoacoustic contrast agents are reported.

Automated summary

Optoacoustic imaging is a new biomedical imaging technology that offers advantages over traditional optical imaging and ultrasound. While there have been improvements in the imaging technology, the development of contrast agents specifically for optoacoustic imaging has been stagnant. Current exploration of contrast agents is limited to standard commercial dyes used in optical imaging, and there is a need for contrast agents with tailored optoacoustic properties.