Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) includes positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Nuclear imaging is achieved by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) into patients before or during their scan. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT. But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders.

Department of energy partners to bolster domestic radioisotope supply
Gadolinium-153, or Gd-153, is routinely used to calibrate nuclear imaging equipment. It has been in short supply since 2023 when global distribution of the radioisotope came to a halt.
Bill Gates-backed nuclear medicine company investing $450M to build new radiopharma facility
TerraPower Isotopes is building a flagship factory in the Bellwether District of Philadelphia, which will eventually produce actinium-225.
FDA pushes back its review of new PET imaging agent from Lantheus
The Bedford, Massachusetts-based drugmaker announced the news on March 17, with the three-month delay pertaining to LNTH-2501.
PSMA PET/CT imaging drastically reduces the need for prostate biopsies
Researchers recently presented early findings from the PRIMARY2 clinical trial at the European Association of Urology Congress in London.
Telix submits new brain imaging agent for FDA review following previous rejection
The Australia-based company has resubmitted its New Drug Application for Pixclara, an investigational PET product.

Department of energy partners to bolster domestic radioisotope supply

Gadolinium-153, or Gd-153, is routinely used to calibrate nuclear imaging equipment. It has been in short supply since 2023 when global distribution of the radioisotope came to a halt.

Bill Gates-backed nuclear medicine company investing $450M to build new radiopharma facility

TerraPower Isotopes is building a flagship factory in the Bellwether District of Philadelphia, which will eventually produce actinium-225.

FDA pushes back its review of new PET imaging agent from Lantheus

The Bedford, Massachusetts-based drugmaker announced the news on March 17, with the three-month delay pertaining to LNTH-2501.

prostate surgeon cancer PAE interventional

PSMA PET/CT imaging drastically reduces the need for prostate biopsies

Researchers recently presented early findings from the PRIMARY2 clinical trial at the European Association of Urology Congress in London.

stroke brain dementia alzheimer's puzzle mental health

Telix submits new brain imaging agent for FDA review following previous rejection

The Australia-based company has resubmitted its New Drug Application for Pixclara, an investigational PET product.

Shortage of cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers should ease in late March

However, the regular supply of these imaging radiotracers may not be back online for another few months.

PET scans offer insight into how ketamine affects depression

Thanks to a newly developed radiotracer and PET imaging, experts believe they may have unearthed new insights on the drug's impact.

Nuclear medicine firm Shine Technologies raises $240M

Surgeon, researcher and billionaire entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD, and his company NantWorks led the funding round with participation from several others.