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Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2012;2(2):163-173.
Review Article
Cerenkov imaging - a new modality for molecular imaging
Daniel LJ Thorek, Robbie Robertson, Wassifa A Bacchus, Jaeseung Hahn, Julie Rothberg, Bradley J Beattie, Jan Grimm
Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, The Takeda
Company, Biomedical Imaging Group, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Department of Biomedical Engineering, City College of New
York, City University of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, New York; Program in Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry,
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; 5Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275
York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
Received January 29, 2012; accepted February 25, 2012; Epub March 28, 2012; Published April 15, 2012
Abstract: Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is an emerging hybrid modality that utilizes the light emission from many commonly
used medical isotopes. Cerenkov radiation (CR) is produced when charged particles travel through a dialectric medium faster than
the speed of light in that medium. First described in detail nearly 100 years ago, CR has only recently applied for biomedical imaging
purposes. The modality is of considerable interest as it enables the use of widespread luminescence imaging equipment to
visualize clinical diagnostic (all PET radioisotopes) and many therapeutic radionuclides. The amount of light detected in CLI
applications is significantly lower than other that in other optical imaging techniques such as bioluminescence and fluorescence.
However, significant advantages include the use of approved radiotracers and lack of an incident light source, resulting in high signal
to background ratio. As well, multiple subjects may be imaged concurrently (up to 5 in common bioluminescent equipment),
conferring both cost and time benefits. This review summarizes the field of Cerenkov luminescence imaging to date. Applications of
CLI discussed include intraoperative radionuclide-guided surgery, monitoring of therapeutic efficacy, tomographic optical imaging
capabilities, and the ability to perform multiplexed imaging using fluorophores excited by the Cerenkov radiation. While technical
challenges still exist, Cerenkov imaging has materialized as an important molecular imaging modality. (ajnmmi1201003).
Keywords: Cerenkov radiation, PET, optical imaging, fluorescence
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Jan Grimm
1275 York Street, Box 248
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10065, USA.
E-mail: grimmj@mskcc.org
Review Article
Cerenkov imaging - a new modality for molecular imaging
Daniel LJ Thorek, Robbie Robertson, Wassifa A Bacchus, Jaeseung Hahn, Julie Rothberg, Bradley J Beattie, Jan Grimm
Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, The Takeda
Company, Biomedical Imaging Group, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Department of Biomedical Engineering, City College of New
York, City University of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, New York; Program in Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry,
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; 5Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275
York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
Received January 29, 2012; accepted February 25, 2012; Epub March 28, 2012; Published April 15, 2012
Abstract: Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is an emerging hybrid modality that utilizes the light emission from many commonly
used medical isotopes. Cerenkov radiation (CR) is produced when charged particles travel through a dialectric medium faster than
the speed of light in that medium. First described in detail nearly 100 years ago, CR has only recently applied for biomedical imaging
purposes. The modality is of considerable interest as it enables the use of widespread luminescence imaging equipment to
visualize clinical diagnostic (all PET radioisotopes) and many therapeutic radionuclides. The amount of light detected in CLI
applications is significantly lower than other that in other optical imaging techniques such as bioluminescence and fluorescence.
However, significant advantages include the use of approved radiotracers and lack of an incident light source, resulting in high signal
to background ratio. As well, multiple subjects may be imaged concurrently (up to 5 in common bioluminescent equipment),
conferring both cost and time benefits. This review summarizes the field of Cerenkov luminescence imaging to date. Applications of
CLI discussed include intraoperative radionuclide-guided surgery, monitoring of therapeutic efficacy, tomographic optical imaging
capabilities, and the ability to perform multiplexed imaging using fluorophores excited by the Cerenkov radiation. While technical
challenges still exist, Cerenkov imaging has materialized as an important molecular imaging modality. (ajnmmi1201003).
Keywords: Cerenkov radiation, PET, optical imaging, fluorescence
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Jan Grimm
1275 York Street, Box 248
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10065, USA.
E-mail: grimmj@mskcc.org
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