Advancements in nanotechnology for diagnostics: a literature review, part II: advanced techniques in nuclear and optical imaging

Modern molecular imaging routes, such as nuclear imaging and optical imaging, derive significant advantages from nanoparticles, where multimodality use and multipurpose are key benefits. Nanoparticles also showcase benefits over traditional imaging agents in nuclear and optical imaging, including improved resolution, penetration, and specificity. The goal of this literature review was to explore recent advancements in nanomaterials within these molecular imaging techniques to expand on the current state of nanomedicine in these modalities. This review derives findings from relevant reviews, original research papers, in-human clinical trials, and patents in the literature. Au- and Fe oxide-based nanosystems are just as ubiquitous within more modern modalities due to their multimodal diagnostic and therapeutic potential. It is also repeatedly highlighted in the literature, patents, and clinical trials that the use of nanoparticles, specifically in multimodal imaging techniques and theranostics, present innovative methods in recent years, enabling researchers and clinicians to overcome the limitations of unimodal imaging modalities and further advancing accuracy in the diagnosis and treatment of important pathologies, particularly cancer. Overall, nanoparticle-based imaging represents a transformative approach in advanced imaging modalities, offering new approaches to limitations of conventional agents currently being applied in clinical settings.