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.

Largest network of private cardiology groups in US to deploy GE HealthCare's cardiac PET tracer
One of the tracer’s more significant advantages is its extended half-life of 109 minutes—significantly longer than other currently available PET MPI imaging agents.
Some PET exams may be overutilized in oncology
In 2020 alone, there were more than 2 million 18F-FDG PET/CT scans conducted in the United States.
PSMA-PET imaging not the most cost-effective option for many prostate cancer patients
The exam effectively helps providers manage patients’ treatment options, but for some, the costs associated with those treatments may negate the value of its findings.
1st patient dosed with new radiopharmaceutical targeting cancer bone pain
The treatment can offer patients a more potent, cost-effective alternative providing long-lasting relief compared to current pain regimens.
Inflammation-targeting PET method predicts recovery after heart attack
Targeting CXCR4 during PET scans could help providers gain vital information regarding patients' potential to fully recover from myocardial infarction.

The new cardiac PET radiotracer flurpiridaz F-18 is posed to be a major game changer and will likely lead to increased adoption of cardiac PET.

Largest network of private cardiology groups in US to deploy GE HealthCare's cardiac PET tracer

One of the tracer’s more significant advantages is its extended half-life of 109 minutes—significantly longer than other currently available PET MPI imaging agents.

Some PET exams may be overutilized in oncology

In 2020 alone, there were more than 2 million 18F-FDG PET/CT scans conducted in the United States.

PSMA-PET imaging not the most cost-effective option for many prostate cancer patients

The exam effectively helps providers manage patients’ treatment options, but for some, the costs associated with those treatments may negate the value of its findings.

1st patient dosed with new radiopharmaceutical targeting cancer bone pain

The treatment can offer patients a more potent, cost-effective alternative providing long-lasting relief compared to current pain regimens.

PET study targets inflammation to predict AMI recovery

Inflammation-targeting PET method predicts recovery after heart attack

Targeting CXCR4 during PET scans could help providers gain vital information regarding patients' potential to fully recover from myocardial infarction.

Novartis seeks to expand use of prostate therapy Pluvicto, citing positive trial results

An expanded approval could potentially double the number of patients eligible for treatment with the therapy, first approved in 2022.

Imaging offers insight into impact of new Alzheimer's treatment from Eli Lilly

Emerging research provides further evidence that amyloid-removal treatment for Alzheimer’s effectively slows cognitive decline.

Marcelo Di Carli, MD, editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, chief, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, and executive director, Cardiovascular Imaging Program, at Brigham and Women's Hospital, explains why there is rapid growth of PET imaging because of the extra value it brings in detecting microvascular disease.

How PET is transforming cardiac nuclear imaging

"PET has changed the practice of nuclear medicine in general and I think it is going to revitalize the practice of cardiology," Marcelo Di Carli, MD, told Cardiovascular Business. He noted that more practices seem interested in implementing PET than ever before.