Tomografía fotoacústica y Deep Learning en aplicacionesmédicas

En las últimas décadas, las imágenes fotoacústicas han demostrado su eficacia en el apoyo al diagnóstico de algunas enfermedades, así como en la investigación médica, ya que a través de ellas es posible obtener información del cuerpo humano con características específicas y profundidad de penetración, desde 1 cm hasta 6 cm dependiendo en gran medida del tejido estudiado, además de una buena resolución. Las imágenes fotoacústicas son comparativamente jóvenes y emergentes y prometen mediciones en tiempo real, con procedimientos no invasivos y libres de radiación. Por otro lado, aplicar Deep Learning a imágenes fotoacústicas permite gestionar datos y transformarlos en información útil que genere conocimiento. Estas aplicaciones poseen ventajas únicas que facilitan la aplicación clínica. Se considera que con estas técnicas se pueden proporcionar diagnósticos médicos confiables. Es por eso que el objetivo de este artículo es proporcionar un panorama general de los casos donde se combina el Deep Learning con técnicas fotoacústicas.

In recent decades, photoacoustic imaging has proven its effectiveness in supporting the diagnosis of some diseases as well as in medical research, since through them it is possible to obtain information of the human body with specific characteristics and depth of penetration, from 1 cm to 6 cm depending largely on the tissue studied, in addition to a good resolution. Photoacoustic imaging is comparatively young and emerging and promises real-time measurements, with non-invasive and radiation-free procedures. On the other hand, applying Deep Learning to photoacoustic images allows managing data and transforming them into useful information that generates knowledge. These applications have unique advantages that facilitate clinical application. It may be possible with these techniques to provide reliable medical diagnoses. That is why the aim of this article is to provide an overview of cases combining Deep Learning with photoacoustic techniques.

Gall Bladder Polyps : A Paradigm Shift – Need for Reappraisal of Guidelines

Background : Gall Bladder Polyps are mucosal lesions that project from the Gall Bladder wall into the Gallbladder lumen. They form morphologically distinct lesion/s with internal characteristics different than that of neighboring structures as verified by microscopic examination. About 4-6% are picked up clinically, 2-12% in Cholecystectomy specimens and 4% on Ultrasound. Materias and Methods : A three calendar year retrospective single surgical unit study compromised of 1442 cholecystectomies performed for benign Gall Bladder Disease. The patient were subjected to Ultrasound of abdomen for diagnosis and routine clinic work up. The Gall Bladders Harboring Polyps were examined grossly for site ,number, and microscopy for histological details. Results : In a total number of 40 cases of Gall Bladder Polyp, females outnumbered males. This series spreads over age groups of 3rd decade - 9th decade, most of the patients were seen in 6th decade of life. Youngest patients were 27 years old and oldest one was 85 years old. Incidentally, none of the old patients had evidence of malignancy on histopathology in their Gall Badder Polyp, only 2% were necessitated for a pre-operative diagnosis of Gall Bladder Polyps alone. Rest required it for presence of Gallstones with or without Polyp. None of >10mm size showed any malignant change on histopathological examination. On the Contrary, among the polypoid lesions <10mm size, one polypid lesion (7mm) showed a malignant change (Carcinoma in situ) Conclusion : A predictive model for neoplastic potential of Gall Bladder Polyp may support clinical decision to achieve an ideal therapeutic outcome. Hence a need for reappraisal of management guidelines.

Current status and advances in ultrasound-guided thermal ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor in clinical practice, and image-guided thermal ablation is a radical treatment method for early-stage HCC and a method for palliative tumor reduction and combination with systematic therapy for advanced HCC. With the advantages of real-time imaging, accurate guiding, easy operation, portability, low cost, no radiation damage, and high efficiency, ultrasound plays an important role in preoperative planning, intraoperative guiding, postoperative evaluation, and long-term follow-up in thermal ablation for HCC. With the advances in ultrasound and imaging fusion technology and the development of functional imaging technology represented by photoacoustic imaging, ultrasound-guided thermal ablation is at the forefront of precision treatment of HCC, achieving long-lasting development and developing into a more minimally invasive, accurate, safe, and effective diagnostic and therapeutic mode.

Progress of motion artifact correction in photoacoustic microscopy and photoacoustic tomography / 生物医学工程学杂志

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a rapidly developing hybrid biomedical imaging technology, which is capable of providing structural and functional information of biological tissues. Due to inevitable motion of the imaging object, such as respiration, heartbeat or eye rotation, motion artifacts are observed in the reconstructed images, which reduce the imaging resolution and increase the difficulty of obtaining high-quality images. This paper summarizes current methods for correcting and compensating motion artifacts in photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) and photoacoustic tomography (PAT), discusses their advantages and limits and forecasts possible future work.

Research progress of drug delivery system based on black phosphorus in tumor diagnosis and treatment / 中国药科大学学报

@#As a new member of two-dimensional materials, black phosphorus has shown good application prospects in the fields of photoacoustic imaging, photothermal photodynamic therapy, and drug loading due to its excellent characteristics such as good biodegradability, biocompatibility, thickness-dependent tunable direct band-gap, and high surface-to-mass ratio. Because black phosphorus has the characteristics of easy oxidation and degradation, it is coated with relatively stable liposomes or polymeric materials to construct a black phosphorus-based drug delivery system, which shows great potential in tumor treatment and diagnosis and has become a new focus in drug delivery research. In this paper, we introduce the role of black phosphorus in tumor diagnosis and treatment in detail, and summarize the design of black phosphorus-based drug delivery system in recent years as well as its research progress in tumor diagnosis and treatment, in order to provide reference for the research and application of black phosphorus.

Experimental study of hematoporphyrinmonomethyl ether based PLGA nanoparticles for photoacoustic imaging-guided sonodynamic therapy / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To prepare hematoporphyrinmonomethyl ether (HMME) based poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, and to investigate their enhancement effect on photoacoustic (PA) imaging and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) efficacy in vitro. Methods HMME-based PLGA (HMME@PLGA) nanoparticles were synthesized using a facile double emulsion strategy. The characteristics and enhanced PA imaging capability were observed in vitro. Upon ultrasound irradiation, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated with MDA-MB-231 cells up-taken HMME@PLGA was investigated using flow cytometry. SDT efficacy on cellular level was further investigated. Results The fabricated HMME@PLGA nanoparticles were demonstrated with homogenized size and distribution, and the average diameter was (333.67±17.50)nm. The Zeta potential was (-10.57±1.98)mV. The encapsulation efficiency of HMME in HMME@PLGA was 75.62%, and the drug loading was 2.90%. When incubation with HMME@PLGA nanoparticles (1 mg/ml) for 24 h, the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells was 87.21%. PA signal intensities increased with the increase of HMME@PLGA concentration in vitro. Upon ultrasound irradiation, ROS was produced in MDA-MB-231 cells with the assistance of HMME@PLGA nanoparticles, further leading to cytotoxic effects and cellular death which showed obvious red fluorescence stained with Calcein-AM/PI. Meanwhile, the lysosomes structures of the dead cells disappeared when stained by acridine orange. Conclusion HMME@PLGA nanoparticles are successfully fabricated and can achieve PA imaging-guided SDT.

Progresses of photoacoustic-ultrasonic combined imaging reconstruction / 中国医学影像技术

Ultrasonic computed tomography (USCT) and photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) are two kinds of complementary imaging techniques. Photoacoustic-ultrasonic (PAUS) imaging combines PACT with USCT into one system and can obtain structural images and optical absorption distribution images of the target simultaneously. The combined images can display the acoustic discontinuity and optical absorption properties of the tissue. The diseased tissue can be accurately identified and located, and the functional components can also be quantitatively measured. The research progresses of the methods of joint images reconstruction for PAUS were reviewed in this paper.

Multimodal Composite Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

BACKGROUND: Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are excellent candidates for biomedical imaging because of unique characteristics like enhanced colloidal stability and excellent in vivo biocompatibility. Over the last decade, material scientists have developed IONPs with better imaging and enhanced optical absorbance properties by tuning their sizes, shape, phases, and surface characterizations. Since IONPs could be detected with magnetic resonance imaging, various attempts have been made to combine other imaging modalities, thereby creating a high-resolution imaging platform. Composite IONPs (CIONPs) comprising IONP cores with polymeric or inorganic coatings have recently been documented as a promising modality for therapeutic applications. METHODS: In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in CIONPs for multimodal imaging and focus on the therapeutic applications of CIONPs. RESULTS: CIONPs with phototherapeutics, IONP-based nanoparticles are used for theranostic application via imaging guided photothermal therapy. CONCLUSION: CIONP-based nanoparticles are known for theranostic application, longstanding effects of composite NPs in in vivo systems should also be studied. Once such issues are fixed, multifunctional CIONP-based applications can be extended for theranostics of diverse medical diseases in the future.

Photoacoustic imaging and photoacoustic spectrum analysis in mouse models of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To establish a photoacoustic detection system and data processing methods for skin tumors,and to explore photoacoustic imaging and photoacoustic spectrum in mouse models of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).Methods A total of 60 healthy specific pathogen-free (SPF) female BALB/C nude mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly and equally divided into 2 groups to be inoculated with a murine CSCC cell line XL50 and a human CSCC cell line A431 respectively on the right back near the upper limbs,and mouse models of murine CSCC (n =20) and human CSCC (n =20) were successfully established.The 850-nm photoacoustic detection system was applied in the above 2 kinds of mouse models,and photoacoustic imaging and photoacoustic spectrum data were collected.The fitted slope of acoustic power spectrum curves was compared between squamous cell carcinoma tissues and normal skin on the left back of the mouse model.After the photoacoustic detection,tumor tissues and normal skin at the opposite side were excised from the 2 kinds of mouse models,and subjected to histopathological examination.The fitted slope of different tissues was compared by using t test.Results Photoacoustic imaging showed higher photoacoustic signals of hemoglobin in squamous cell carcinoma tissues compared with the normal skin tissues.In the model of murine CSCC,the fitted slope of acoustic power spectrum curve was significantly lower in the tumor tissues (-1.827 ± 0.153 1) than in the normal skin tissues (-1.059 ± 0.117 8,t =3.973,P ＜ 0.001).In the model of human CSCC,the fitted slope of acoustic power spectrum curve was also significantly lower in the tumor tissues (-1.537 ± 0.125 5) than in the normal skin tissues (-0.960 ± 0.259 7,t =2.166,P =0.043).Histopathological examination showed that the number of vessels increased in the tumor tissues compared with the normal skin tissues.Conclusion CSCC tissues are different from normal skin tissues in photoacoustic imaging signals and the fitted slope of acoustic power spectrum,which may lay a foundation for non-invasive photoacoustic diagnosis of CSCC.

Photoacoustic-based thermal image formation and optimization using an evolutionary genetic algorithm

Abstract Introduction For improved efficiency and security in heat application during hyperthermia, it is important to monitor tissue temperature during treatments. Photoacoustic (PA) pressure wave amplitude has a temperature dependence given by the Gruenesein parameter. Consequently, changes in PA signal amplitude carry information about temperature variation in tissue. Therefore, PA has been proposed as an imaging technique to monitor temperature during hyperthermia. However, no studies have compared the performance of different algorithms to generate PA-based thermal images. Methods Here, four methods to estimate variations in PA signal amplitude for thermal image formation were investigated: peak-to-peak, integral of the modulus, autocorrelation of the maximum value, and energy of the signal. Changes in PA signal amplitude were evaluated using a 1-D window moving across the entire image. PA images were acquired for temperatures ranging from 36oC to 41oC using a phantom immersed in a temperature controlled thermal bath. Results The results demonstrated that imaging processing parameters and methods involved in tracking variations in PA signal amplitude drastically affected the sensitivity and accuracy of thermal images formation. The sensitivity fluctuated more than 20% across the different methods and parameters used. After optimizing the parameters to generate the thermal images using an evolutionary genetic algorithm (GA), the percentage of pixels within the acceptable error was improved, in average, by 7.5%. Conclusion Optimization of processing parameters using GA could increase the accuracy of measurement for this experimental setup and improve quality of PA-based thermal images.

Dual-modal magnetic resonance and photoacoustic tracking of tendon stem cell labeled with PLGA/IO MPs / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To detect the efficiency of the newly developed PLGA/IO MPs in tracking tendon stem cells (TSCs) by magnetic resonance (MR) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging . Methods Both PLAG/IO MPs and TSCs were prepared and acquired according to the previous study ,and TSCs were incubated with PLGA/IO MPs for labeling .TSCs were collected for MR and PA imaging ,prussian blue staining was performed ,and the iron concentration of labeled TSCs was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry ( ICP-OES ) at 3 ,7 ,14 ,21 and 28 days after labeling respectively . The rotator cuff injury model was built on the right side of SD rats by surgery and the labeled TSCs were implanted instantly . Dual-modal MR/PA imaging was performed to observe the implanted labeled TSCs at day 3 ,7 ,14 ,21 and 28 after implantation respectively . Results Along with the increase of labeling time ,both MR and PA signal of labeled TSCs decreased gradually ,and the amount of intracellular Fe loading was gradually decreased . At day 28 ,the difference of Fe concentration per cell between labeled TSCs and non-labeled TSCs was not significant (1 .45 pg Fe/cell vs 1 .17 pg Fe/cell , P ＞0 .05) . MR and PA imaging allowed a long-term tracking of labeled TSCs for 21 and 7 days respectively in the rat rotator cuff injury model . Conclusions PLGA/IO MPs are able to label TSCs for up to 21 days ,and dual-modal MR/PA imaging could be used to track the labeled TSCs in the rat rotator cuff injury model .

Experimental study of PLGA microparticles loaded with iron oxide labeling tendon stem cells in vitro / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To prepare PLGA microparticles loaded with Iron oxide (PLGA/IO MPs) and explore their feasibility of the rat tendon stem cells (TSCs) labeled with the particles and the multimodal imaging of Ultrasonic (US)/Photoacoustic (PA)/Magnetic resonance (MR) in vitro. Methods The PLGA/IO MPs were prepared using double emulsification,and physical and chemical properties were tested and US/PA/MRI imaging was performed.The TSCs were labeled with PLGA/IO MPs,and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and prussian blue staining were performed to test labeling effects,then the US, PA and MRI imaging of labeled TSCs were performed. Results The diameter and Zeta potential of prepared PLGA/IO MPs were ( 801.5 ± 165.6) nm and (6.36 ± 3.36) mV [the Zeta potential of microparticles which including poly-L-Lysine(PLL) was about (3.16 ± 3.69)mV],respectively.PLGA/IO MPs could be imaged by US/PA/MRI multimodal imaging. After labeling,the PLGA/IO MPs were distributed in cytoplasm of labeled TSCs which could be imaged by US,PA,MRI simultaneously. Conclusions The TSCs can be labeled with PLGA/IO MPs effectively,and imaged by using multimodal US/PA/MRI imaging in vitro,which will lay foundation for noninvasive and multimodal tracking of transplanted TSCs in vivo.

Development and clinical translation of photoacoustic mammography

To practically apply photoacoustic (PA) imaging technology in medicine, we have developed prototypes of a photoacoustic mammography (PAM) device to acquire images for diagnosing breast cancer in the Kyoto University/Canon joint research project (CK project supported by MEXT, Japan). First, the basic ability of the PAM system to visualize the network of blood vessels and the Hb saturation index was evaluated using a prototype of PAM that has a flat scanning detector and is capable of simultaneously acquiring photoacoustic (PA) and ultrasound images. Next, another prototype of a PAM device with hemispherical sensors was developed to improve the visibility of the 3D structure of vessels by reducing the limited view effect. In clinical examination of breast cancer cases, the PAM system allowed 3D visualization of fine vessel networks with a spatial resolution of a half-millimeter and enabled us to determine the features of tumor-related vascular structures in human breast cancer. In addition, the oxygen saturation status of Hb was visualized using two different wavelengths, enabling more precise characterization of the tumor microenvironment. Results of clinical evaluation using our developed prototype of a PAM device confirmed that PA imaging technology has the potential to promote early detection of breast cancer, and realization of its practical use is expected in the near future.

Multimodal photoacoustic imaging as a tool for sentinel lymph node identification and biopsy guidance

As a minimally invasive method, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in conjunction with guidance methods is the standard method to determine cancer metastasis in breast. The desired guidance methods for SLNB should be capable of precise SLN localization for accurate diagnosis of micro-metastases at an early stage of cancer progression and thus facilitate reducing the number of SLN biopsies for minimal surgical complications. For this, high sensitivity to the administered dyes, high spatial and contrast resolutions, deep imaging depth, and real-time imaging capability are pivotal requirements. Currently, various methods have been used for SLNB guidance, each with their own advantages and disadvantages, but no methods meet the requirements. In this review, we discuss the conventional SLNB guidance methods in this perspective. In addition, we focus on the role of the PA imaging modality on real-time SLN identification and biopsy guidance. In particular, PA-based hybrid imaging methods for precise SLN identification and efficient biopsy guidance are introduced, and their unique features, advantages, and disadvantages are discussed.

Simulation Platform of Photoacoustic Imaging Based on Finite Element and -space Pseudospectral Method / 中国医疗器械杂志

Numerical simulation is a powerful technology for photoacoustic imaging (PAI) in both theory studies and practical applications. In this paper, a simulation platform for PAI was designed and implemented based on Matlab. The simulation platform utilized finite element method (FEM) and -space pseudospectral method to calculate the forward and inverse problem of PAI. And a graphical user interface (GUI) was realized. Structural design, work process and other operating details of the platform was also provided. By compared with theoretical temporal waveform of photoacoustic signal and reconstruction results of COMSOL, the validity and reliability was verified. And a reliable simulation tool was proposed for PAI.

Preparation of photoacoustic/ultrasonic real time dual-modality nanoparticles and imaging experiment / 中国介入影像与治疗学

Objective To synthesize a kind of carbon nanoparticles incorporated liquid-gas phase-transition nanodroplets (CNPs),and to verify their traceability for photoacoustic/ultrasound dual-modality imaging at real time.Methods The nanodroplets were synthesized using dual-emulsion technique.The basic properties were observed and measured with optical microscope,transmission electron microscope and laser particle size analyzer.The phase transition of CNPs was observed after laser irradiation.DiI-labeled CNPs phagocytosed by macrophages were also observed with the laser scanning confoeal microscope.The enhanced photoacoustic/ultrasound imaging with CNPs in vitro was observed after laser irradiation.And the in vivo experiment was used to analyze the effect of CNPs for tracking metastatic lymph nodes of the axilla in VX2 tumor-bearing rabbits with enhanced photoacoustic/ultrasound imaging.Results CNPs with the average diameter of (483.32 ± 45.09) nm and Zeta potential of (-26.3 ± 5.02) mV were successfully prepared.After laser irradiation,the phase-transition of CNPs obviously took place.After co-incubation with macrophages,CNPs were massively phagocytosed by macrophages.Photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging were significantly enhanced with CNPs in vitro and in vivo.And the mean photoacoustic signal and the grey level increased with the concentration of CNPs.Conclusion CNPs are successfully synthesized with excellent phase-transition feature after laser irradiation,which could be used for photoacoustic/ultrasound dual-modality imaging at real time.And this excellent property got further confirmed by tracking malignant metastatic lymph nodes in rabbits.

Targeting ability and photoacoustic imaging of novel nanoparticle probe loaded with ZnPc and docetaxel: An in vitro study / 中国介入影像与治疗学

Objective To investigate the targeting ability and photoacoustic imaging of novel nanoparticle probe loaded with ZnPc and docetaxel.Methods The polymeric nanoparticles probe loaded with ZnPc and docetaxel were fabricated using double emulsion method.RGDfK was modified on the surface for breast carcinoma targeting by carbodiimide method.The encapsulating ratio (ER) and drug loading (DL) of ZnPc and docetaxel were assessed.The modification rate and targeting ability of molecular probe were tested in vitro,and the photoacoustic imaging and drug release profiles were observed.Results The probes were loaded with ZnPc and docetaxel efficiently and successfully.The size of novel nanoparticle loaded with ZnPc and docetaxel was (266.00 ± 65.85)nm,and the surface potential was (-29.20± 6.27)mV.ER and DL of docetaxel was (88.00±0.32)％ and (34.92±0.02)μg/mg,of ZnPc was (97.25±0.22)％ and (30.87±0.11)μg/mg,respectively.The probes had certain sustained slow release effect and showed obvious photoacoustic signals,which enhanced with the increase of the content of ZnPc.Flow cytometry detection results showed that the RGDfk modification rate was 89.19％.The apoptotic rate of novel nanoparticle loaded with ZnPc and docetaxel targeting breast carcinoma increased after the laser irradiation in vitro.Conclusion The new polymeric multifunctional nanoparticles probe has an ideal size and good photoacoustic signals,also the ability to target breast carcinoma cells and inhibit the proliferation of breast carcinoma cells efficiently.

Preparation and in vitro ultrasound/photoacoustic imaging of folate receptor-targeted, doxorubicin and melanin-loaded multifunctional contrast media / 中国介入影像与治疗学

Objective To prepare the folate receptor-targeted,doxorubicin and melanin-loaded multifunctional contrast media,and to observe its characteristics,targeting,imaging performance and cell toxicity on human MDA-MB-231 cell lines in vitro.Methods The folate receptor-targeted,doxorubicin and melanin-loaded multifunctional contrast media wasprepared using single emulsion method and freeze-drying and C3 Fs-inflation.Its size and drug loading efficiency were measured with Malvern instrument and UV-visible spectrophotometry.Its enhanced respectively ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging were observed in vitro model.The targeting performance of contrast media and its cell toxicity werechecked after co-incubated with human MDA-MB-231 cell lines.Results The average diameter of contrast media was (659.60±27.56)nm,Zeta potential was (-38.90±4.00)mV,and the drug loading capacity was 85.72 μg/mg.In vitro,the targeting experiment showed that a large number of folate receptor-targeted contrast media were aggregated and adhered firmly to the MDA-MB-231 cells.The folate receptor-targeted contrast media significantly inhibited the proliferation of human MDA-MB-231 cells.The ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging of folate receptor-targeted contrast media were significantly enhanced.Conclusion The folate receptor-targeted,doxorubicin and melanin-loaded multifunctional contrast media is a set of targeting treatment,enhancing ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging,having potential of perfect molecular probe for targeting imaging and treatment of human breast cancer.

Recent developments in multimodality fluorescence imaging probes

Multimodality optical imaging probes have emerged as powerful tools that improve detection sensitivity and accuracy, important in disease diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we focus on recent developments of optical fluorescence imaging (OFI) probe integration with other imaging modalities such as X-ray computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and photoacoustic imaging (PAI). The imaging technologies are briefly described in order to introduce the strengths and limitations of each techniques and the need for further multimodality optical imaging probe development. The emphasis of this account is placed on how design strategies are currently implemented to afford physicochemically and biologically compatible multimodality optical fluorescence imaging probes. We also present studies that overcame intrinsic disadvantages of each imaging technique by multimodality approach with improved detection sensitivity and accuracy.

The combined therapeutic effects of iodine-labeled multifunctional copper sulfide-loaded microspheres in treating breast cancer

Compared to conventional cancer treatment, combination therapy based on well-designed nanoscale platforms may offer an opportunity to eliminate tumors and reduce recurrence and metastasis. In this study, we prepared multifunctional microspheres loading I-labeled hollow copper sulfide nanoparticles and paclitaxel (I-HCuSNPs-MS-PTX) for imaging and therapeutics of W256/B breast tumors in rats. F-fluordeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging detected that the expansion of the tumor volume was delayed (<0.05) following intra-tumoral (i.t.) injection with I-HCuSNPs-MS-PTX plus near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. The immunohistochemical analysis further confirmed the anti-tumor effect. The single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/photoacoustic imaging mediated by I-HCuSNPs-MS-PTX demonstrated that microspheres were mainly distributed in the tumors with a relatively low distribution in other organs. Our results revealed that I-HCuSNPs-MS-PTX offered combined photothermal, chemo- and radio-therapies, eliminating tumors at a relatively low dose, as well as allowing SPECT/CT and photoacoustic imaging monitoring of distribution of the injected agents non-invasively. The copper sulfide-loaded microspheres, I-HCuSNPs-MS-PTX, can serve as a versatile theranostic agent in an orthotopic breast cancer model.