UC San Diego

The preclinical landscape of photoacoustic imaging has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade. This non-invasive imaging modality augments the spatiotemporal capabilities of ultrasound with optical contrast. While it has principally been investigated for diagnostic applications, many recent reports have described theranostic delivery systems and drug monitoring strategies using photoacoustics. Here, we provide an overview of the progress to date while highlighting work in three specific areas: theranostic nanoparticles, real-time drug monitoring, and stem cell ("living drug") tracking. Additionally, we discuss the challenges that remain to be addressed in this burgeoning field.