Resources > What are Probes?

What are Molecular Imaging Probes?

Imaging probes are a special class of pharmaceuticals that are used in conjunction with medical imaging scanners, such as MRI, CT, ultrasound and nuclear imaging, allowing healthcare practitioners to see disease and injuries in a non-invasive way.  In the post genomics era, there is the opportunity to advance probes to the point where they can target specific biochemical signatures associated with disease.

Because changes in biochemistry occur before diseases reach an advanced stage, molecular imaging probes will foster earlier and more personalized diagnosis of disease.

Advancing the next generation of molecular imaging probes for all major imaging modalities is the core mandate of the CPDC.

For example: Following an injection with the molecular imaging probe 18F-FDG, which targets active tumours, a patient suspected of having metastasized cancer is scanned using positron emission tomography (PET). The distribution of the probe is detected and appears here as dark spots. The scan shows the presence of multiple tumours and the information will be used to guide the course of therapy.

(Image courtesy of Dr. Karen Gulenchyn - Chief of Nuclear Medicine Hamilton Health Sciences)

Download a PDF copy of Molecular Imaging 101