Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging (also called nuclear medicine or nuclear imaging) can image the function of cells inside the body at the molecular level. This includes the imaging modalities of positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. How does PET and SPECT imaging work? Small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) injected into a patient. 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.

New formulation of popular PSMA imaging agent could up availability by 50%
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted a New Drug Application for a new formulation of a commercially available PSMA imaging agent.
New radioummonotherapy may be more effective at treating ovarian cancer than current standard of care
The method targets cancer stem cells, which are highly tumorigenic and known to play a significant role in relapse, cancer spread and treatment resistance.
Opioid overdose medications may be more effective in women, according to new PET imaging study
Experts involved in a new analysis suggest their findings could help bring about more effective treatments for opioid use disorders.
PET imaging findings support use of intranasal drug delivery for Alzheimer's patients
The discovery is giving researchers vital new information that can be used to develop precision treatments for neurological conditions.
FDA approves expanded use of radioembolization therapy for liver cancer
The added indications make the treatment the first Y-90 therapy approved for both unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic colorectal cancer of the liver.

New formulation of popular PSMA imaging agent could up availability by 50%

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted a New Drug Application for a new formulation of a commercially available PSMA imaging agent.

New radioummonotherapy may be more effective at treating ovarian cancer than current standard of care

The method targets cancer stem cells, which are highly tumorigenic and known to play a significant role in relapse, cancer spread and treatment resistance.

Opioid overdose medications may be more effective in women, according to new PET imaging study

Experts involved in a new analysis suggest their findings could help bring about more effective treatments for opioid use disorders.

PET imaging findings support use of intranasal drug delivery for Alzheimer's patients

The discovery is giving researchers vital new information that can be used to develop precision treatments for neurological conditions.

FDA approves expanded use of radioembolization therapy for liver cancer

The added indications make the treatment the first Y-90 therapy approved for both unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic colorectal cancer of the liver.

doctor comparing the costs of different medical treatments

Post-ablation PET imaging may not be cost-effective in patients with liver metastases

Although most radiology organizations agree that [18F]FDG PET/CT can provide valuable information in these patients post-treatment, their recommendations differ on its use.

FDA approves expanded use of PET imaging agent

The product's updated indications include quantification and long-term monitoring of amyloid plaques on imaging.

'Powerful' new PET agent improves the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer

The agent “exhibits powerful tumor delineation” in challenging cases of determining cancer subtypes, and could potentially lead to more personalized, effective treatment strategies.