Reporter gene imaging: Potential impact on therapy Journal Article


Authors: Serganova, I.; Blasberg, R.
Article Title: Reporter gene imaging: Potential impact on therapy
Abstract: Positron emission tomography (PET)-based molecular-genetic imaging in living organisms has enjoyed exceptional growth over the past 5 years; this is particularly striking since it has been identified as a new discipline only within the past decade. Positron emission tomography is one of three imaging technologies (nuclear, magnetic resonance and optical) that has begun to incorporate methods that are established in molecular and cell biology research. The convergence of these disciplines and the wider application of multi-modality imaging are at the heart of this success story. Most current molecular-genetic imaging strategies are "indirect," coupling a "reporter gene" with a complimentary "reporter probe." Reporter gene constructs can be driven by constitutive promoter elements and used to monitor gene therapy vectors and the efficacy of trans gene targeting and transduction, as well as to monitor adoptive cell-based therapies. Inducible promoters can be used as "sensors" to regulate the magnitude of reporter gene expression and can be used to provide information about endogenous cell processes. Reporter systems can also be constructed to monitor mRNA stabilization and specific protein-protein interactions. Promoters can be cell specific and restrict transgene expression to certain tissue and organs. The translation of reporter gene imaging to specific clinical applications is discussed. Several examples that have potential for patient imaging studies in the near future include monitoring adenoviral-based gene therapy, oncolytic herpes virus therapy, adoptive cell-based therapies and Salmonella-based tumor-targeted cancer therapy and imaging. The primary translational applications of noninvasive in vivo reporter gene imaging are likely to be (a) quantitative monitoring of the gene therapy vector and the efficacy of transduction in clinical protocols, by imaging the location, extent and duration of transgene expression; (b) monitoring cell trafficking, targeting, replication and activation in adoptive therapies, involving ex vivo transduction of harvested immune-competent cells and stem/progenitor cells; (c) assessments of endogenous molecular events using different reporter gene imaging technologies following the development of safe, efficient and target-specific vectors for "diagnostic transductions." © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: nonhuman; gene targeting; gene expression; protein protein interaction; molecular dynamics; genetic transduction; drug delivery systems; computer assisted emission tomography; positron-emission tomography; gene therapy; herpes virus; reporter gene; genes, reporter; radioimmunotherapy; pet; molecular probe techniques; nuclear magnetic resonance; molecular probe; transgenics; salmonella; promoter regions (genetics); reporter gene imaging
Journal Title: Nuclear Medicine and Biology
Volume: 32
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0969-8051
Publisher: Elsevier Science Inc.  
Date Published: 2005-10-01
Start Page: 763
End Page: 780
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2005.05.008
PUBMED: 16243653
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 66" - "Export Date: 24 October 2012" - "CODEN: NMBIE" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Ronald G Blasberg
    272 Blasberg
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