Liposomes in Ultrasound and Gamma Scintigraphic Imaging

Liposomes are attractive as imaging agents because they can carry high loads of contrast material, and their surface can be modified to be specific to a biomarker of a disease state. The development of sterically stabilized liposomes (SSLs) and a better understanding of the pathophysiology of various disease states have increased the potential use of liposomes for ultrasound and scintigraphic imaging. This suggests that liposomal ultrasound or scintigraphic contrast media can prove to be a better alternative to the existing contrast media for specific applications. Although only one liposomal imaging product is approved by the Food and Drug Administration at this stage, there is reasonable expectation that there would be more clinically and commercially successful liposomal imaging agents in the future. One of the most important developments in liposomal imaging agents is the development of liposomes that are targeted to specific diseases. This can possibly lead to the early and accurate detection of numerous pathologic conditions, such as atherosclerotic plaques and various cancers. Liposomal imaging agents are rapidly being developed for the functional imaging of various disease states.