Preclinical Imaging: Closing the gap between research and clinical application

Introduction

Preclinical Imaging is gaining more and more importance in the evaluation of basic and applied sciences to bridge the gap from bench to bedside and vice versa. While Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT), Computed Tomography (CT), Ultrasound (US) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can already to a certain extent be considered translatable imaging platforms, the newly developed Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) and Optical Imaging (OI) methods are not well established in clinical daily routine yet. Both MPI and OI, however, still have potential to get more implemented into clinics in the future. The development of new tracers and tracer-based applications, imaging methods and sequences as well as the translation knowledge gained with preclinical methods into clinical routine has a huge impact on our future since it can dramatically improve patient´s health prognosis, reduce treatment costs or decrease the days of hospitalization. A further aspect is to use preclinical imaging techniques for personalized medicine and/ or treatment planning’s. Humanderived (tissue) samples can already be used to obtain fast and reliable statements on treatment effects and prognosis via preclinical imaging and thus allow for optimization of treatment plans and strategies. In the presentation an overview of preclinical platforms, their pros and cons in regards to bridging the gap from bench to bedside will be discussed based on major disease causes.