© Springer International Publishing AG 2017 3
T. Pandey (ed.), Imaging in Stem Cell Transplant and Cell-based Therapy,
Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-51833-6_
Chapter 1
Current Indications and Overview
of Molecular Imaging Techniques in Stem Cell
Transplantation
Tarun Pandey
1.1 Introduction
Stem cell transplant has been a focus of clinical research for a long time given its
immense promise to treat several difficult to treat and incurable diseases like hema-
tological malignancies, diabetes mellius and neurodegenerative disorders like
Parkinson’s disease. Recently there has been a renewed interest in this technique
and expansion in applications due to advancement in various stem cell technologies.
Traditionally viewed as a core research area; the study of stem cells and cell-based
therapies is no longer limited to basic researchers and scientists and is fast getting
into the paradigm of clinical care.
Stem cell imaging is a fast growing niche area in this field. It encompasses a wide
spectrum including molecular imaging, diagnostic and interventional radiology.
Molecular imaging offers diverse imaging applications including imaging, tracking,
and monitoring of stem cells and in the assessment of engraftment efficiency. Rapid
strides in imaging techniques related to stem cell harvesting, labeling, tracking,
engraftment and monitoring of treatment response has allowed imaging to gain a
central role in stem cell research and development. Minimally invasive Interventional
radiology techniques have also been developed that help in engraftment of the
administered stem cells. The interventional radiologist can also be highly valuable
in targeted stem cell delivery by means of different routes (percutaneous, selective
intravenous, or intra-arterial).
In spite of these advances, stem cell transplant has many challenges. Success rate
with this technique has not been universal and many complications have also been
seen with this form of therapy. Hence diagnostic radiologists play an important role
T. Pandey, M.D., F.R.C.R. (*)
Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock,
AR 72205, USA
e-mail: [email protected]