Optical molecular imaging in cancer research:current impact and future prospect

Cancer has long been amajor threat to human health.Recent advancements inmolecular imaging have revolutionized cancer research by enabling early and precise disease localization,essential for effective management.In particular,optical molecular imaging is an invaluable cancer detection tool in preoperative planning,intraoperative guidance,and postoperative monitoring owing to its noninvasive nature,rapid turnover,safety,and ease of use.The tumor microenvironment and cells within it express distinct biomarkers.Optical imaging technology leverages these markers to differentiate tumor tissues from surrounding tissues and capture real-time images with high resolution.Nevertheless,a robust understanding of these cancer-relatedmolecules and their dynamic changes is crucial for effectivelymanaging cancer.Recent advancements in opticalmolecular imaging technologies offer novel approaches for cancer investigation in research and practice.This review investigates themodern opticalmolecular imaging techniques employed in both preclinical and clinical research,including bioluminescence,fluorescence,chemiluminescence,photoacoustic imaging,and Raman spectroscopy.We explore the current paradigm of optical molecular imaging modalities,their current status in preclinical cancer research and clinical applications,and future perspectives in the fields of cancer research and treatment.