Review on Photoacoustic Monitoring after Drug Delivery: From Label-Free Biomarkers to Pharmacokinetics Agents
Jiwoong Kim,
Seongwook Choi,
Chulhong Kim,
Jeesu Kim,
Byullee Park
Affiliations
Jiwoong Kim
Departments of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Medical Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Cheongam-ro 77, Nam-gu, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
Seongwook Choi
Departments of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Medical Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Cheongam-ro 77, Nam-gu, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
Chulhong Kim
Departments of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Medical Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Cheongam-ro 77, Nam-gu, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
Jeesu Kim
Departments of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering and Optics & Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
Byullee Park
Department of Biophysics, Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is an emerging noninvasive and label-free method for capturing the vasculature, hemodynamics, and physiological responses following drug delivery. PAI combines the advantages of optical and acoustic imaging to provide high-resolution images with multiparametric information. In recent decades, PAI’s abilities have been used to determine reactivity after the administration of various drugs. This study investigates photoacoustic imaging as a label-free method of monitoring drug delivery responses by observing changes in the vascular system and oxygen saturation levels across various biological tissues. In addition, we discuss photoacoustic studies that monitor the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of exogenous contrast agents, offering contrast-enhanced imaging of diseased regions. Finally, we demonstrate the crucial role of photoacoustic imaging in understanding drug delivery mechanisms and treatment processes.
