Dual Modality X-ray Luminescence CT for in vivo Cancer Imaging

双模态CT/X射线发光CT用于体内肿瘤成像 摘要 一种组合的X射线CT和分子成像系统，称为“CT/X射线发光CT（XLCT）"， 提出了该系统使用X射线作为单一来源，对解剖结构和分子特征进行成像， 同时检测X射线可激活的分子探针的发光信号。在该技术中， 通过使用空间选择性X射线图案激发样品而获得空间信息， 放置在样品周围的检测器测量扩散出来的发光光子。无论这些 当检测到光子时，已知它们在编码X射线束的路径上的某处产生。这 基本原理构成了一个新的范例成像深层次的发光探针，几乎没有 来自组织自体荧光的背景。XLCT的另一个显著优点是， 由于极高的量子产率（大2-4个数量级 超过100%）的放射性发光材料。为各种生物医学应用建立XLCT 并最终用于临床应用，我们已经组建了一个多学科团队，由领先的 具有CT成像、分子成像、生物化学、医学物理学、计算 科学和医学，并建立了统一这些共同利益和专业知识的研究主题， investigators.如果成功，混合CT/XLCT将克服CT和光学CT的许多局限性。 成像方法，使我们能够可视化解剖CT图像背景下的生物过程， 前所未有的灵敏度、特异性和空间分辨率。新的双模态成像策略将 因此显着推进癌症成像领域，并为生物学提供有价值的成像工具 和临床研究。

Dual Modality CT/X-ray Luminescence CT for in vivo Cancer Imaging ABSTRACT A combined X-ray CT and molecular imaging system, referred to as “CT/X-ray luminescence CT (XLCT)”, is proposed. The system uses X-ray as a single source to image anatomy and molecular features from simultaneous detection of luminescence signals of X-ray activatable molecular probes. In this technique, the spatial information is obtained by exciting the sample using spatially selective X-ray patterns while optical detectors placed around the sample measure luminescence photons diffusing out. Regardless of where these photons are detected, it is known that they are created somewhere on the path of the coded X-ray beams. This fundamental principle constitutes a new paradigm for imaging deep-seated light-emitting probes, with little background from tissue auto-fluorescence. Another significant advantage of XLCT is that X-ray excitation is amplified by orders of magnitude because of the extremely high quantum yield (2-4 orders of magnitude greater than 100%) of the radioluminescent materials. Toward establishing XLCT for various biomedical applications and eventually for clinical applications, we have assembled a multidisciplinary team consisting of leading investigators with expertise in CT imaging, molecular imaging, biochemistry, medical physics, computational science, and medicine, and established research themes that unify the common interests and expertise of these investigators. If successful, the hybrid CT/XLCT will overcome many of the limitations of CT and optical imaging methods and enable us to visualize biological processes in the anatomical CT image context with unprecedented sensitivity, specificity and spatial resolution. The novel dual modality imaging strategy will therefore significantly advance the field of cancer imaging and provide a valuable imaging tool for biological and clinical studies.