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.

Drugmaker expands manufacturing of popular prostate PET imaging agent
The move will make the Huntsman Cancer Institute the first academic medical center in the U.S. to produce Posluma, according to Blue Earth Diagnostics.
University launches clinical trial for groundbreaking nuclear medicine cancer treatment
The University of Missouri Research Reactor will play a key role in the trial, as it is the only domestic producer of Y-90.
Siemens Healthineers partners with prominent health system to advance precision care
The duo plan to establish a global center of excellence in theranostics, taking advantage of Siemens’ state-of-the-art technology and software to advance the use of radiopharmaceuticals in cancer care.
ASNC says PET is now the preferred nuclear imaging test for CAD
Which imaging modality is better for evaluating heart patients, PET or SPECT? After years of discussions and debates, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology is now ready to point to PET as the No. 1 choice. “There are no clinical scenarios or patient subgroups where cardiac PET with myocardial blood flow should be excluded," the group wrote.
New theranostic could potentially cure difficult-to-treat gastric and pancreatic cancers
Researchers believe new research findings relating to the PET technique signal its potential “to meaningfully change patient care.”

Drugmaker expands manufacturing of popular prostate PET imaging agent

The move will make the Huntsman Cancer Institute the first academic medical center in the U.S. to produce Posluma, according to Blue Earth Diagnostics.

University launches clinical trial for groundbreaking nuclear medicine cancer treatment

The University of Missouri Research Reactor will play a key role in the trial, as it is the only domestic producer of Y-90.

Northwestern Medicine to partner with Siemens Healthineers to advance cancer care and theranostics

Siemens Healthineers partners with prominent health system to advance precision care

The duo plan to establish a global center of excellence in theranostics, taking advantage of Siemens’ state-of-the-art technology and software to advance the use of radiopharmaceuticals in cancer care.

Imagers reviewing flurpiridaz F-18 (Flyrcado) myocardial perfusion PET images. Image from GE Healthcare

ASNC says PET is now the preferred nuclear imaging test for CAD

Which imaging modality is better for evaluating heart patients, PET or SPECT? After years of discussions and debates, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology is now ready to point to PET as the No. 1 choice. “There are no clinical scenarios or patient subgroups where cardiac PET with myocardial blood flow should be excluded," the group wrote.

Novel theranostic shows promise for treating gastric and pancreatic cancer

New theranostic could potentially cure difficult-to-treat gastric and pancreatic cancers

Researchers believe new research findings relating to the PET technique signal its potential “to meaningfully change patient care.”

Leading nuclear medicine organizations collaborate to streamline PET accreditation

The groups have jointly endorsed a unified framework “to standardize and harmonize quantitative PET imaging worldwide.”

Copper-based radiotracer excels at PSMA imaging

Copper-based PSMA radiotracer shines in clinical trial

The tracer's extended half-life of over three hours could make it a promising candidate for future prostate cancer diagnostics.

Reinventing radiology: RSNA's president speaks on the specialty's evolving role in patient care

“We have become increasingly integral to the care pathway," RSNA President Umar Mahmood, MD, PhD, said during this year's Presidential Address.