The role of molecular imaging in pre-clinical research is continuously evolving. Particularly in small animal models in biomedical research, optical imaging technologies are frequently used to visualize normal as well as aberrant cellular processes at a molecular-genetic or cellular level of function. Also in cancer metastasis research, whole body bioluminescent and fluorescent imaging techniques have become indispensable tools that allow non-invasive and real-time imaging of gene expression, tumor progression and metastasis, and response to therapeutic intervention. In this paper, we discuss the use of optical imaging strategies—either alone or in combination with CT- to study intrabone tumor growth, tumor progression and to monitor efficacy of therapeutic agents in metastatic bone disease.
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