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.

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.
Industry partnership set to advance research on theranostics
The deal will create a Therapy Command Center to support the study and use of theranostics across Massachusetts General Hospital and its affiliated centers in bordering states.
SNMMI unveils its 2025 Image of the Year
The designation was awarded to a research team from China, who analyzed the efficacy of a novel radiotracer developed to target expression of the PD-L1 protein in suspected head and neck cancers.
3 industry partnerships, 1 clinical aim: Enriching the global supply chain of medical isotopes
Nuclear medicine operations may soon enjoy steadier flows of certain in-demand radioisotopes. If so, much credit will go to companies that had the strategic sense to collaborate with each other.

FAPI PET/CT findings linked with risk of sudden cardiac death

Experts involved in the research suggested that these findings indicate a potential role for FAPI PET/CT imaging in detecting changes in myocardial fibrosis, noting that it could be more sensitive to earlier changes than standard cardiac MRI.

FAPI PET/CT shows promise as a better radiotracer for cancer than 18F-FDG. It also can be used for detection of infection and inflammation.

VIDEO: 6 key advances in molecular imaging technology for PET and SPECT

Munir Ghesani, MD, President of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), system chief of nuclear medicine at Mount Sinai Health, explains recent advances in nuclear imaging technology.

A new Alzheimer's drug therapy appears effective. What might this mean for the future of amyloid PET?

Previously, CMS determined that coverage for patients receiving treatment was dependent on their being enrolled in a CMS-approved clinical trial under coverage with evidence development (CED).

Does the use of PSMA PET impact tumor upstaging?

A new risk analysis suggests the exam will increasingly result in tumor upstaging among high-risk patients.

Comparison of flurpiridaz F-18 PET, SPECT and angiography of the 60-year-old female patients in the Aurora trial. The SPECT scan appeared normal, but flurpiridaz was shown to be more sensitive and showed the ischemia from two blockages in the right coronary artery. The new radiotracer may help expand cardiac PET. #ASNC

Flurpiridaz data shows promise to expand and enhance cardiac PET

The biggest news from the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) 2022 meeting was positive late-breaking data on the phase 3 Aurora trial for the flurpiridaz (F-18) PET radiotracer agent.

FDG-PET shown to predict pancreatic cancer outcomes prior to surgery, could guide treatment decisions

FDG-PET scans in these patients allow clinicians to determine whether the tumors are still viable or not, thus playing a significant role in making treatment decisions.

Two examples of PSMA-PET scans showing numerous prostate cancer metastases spread throughout the body. Many of these smaller tumors would not have been dected on previous standard-of-care imaging. Photo on left courtesy of SNMMI, right University of Chicago. #PSMAPET

PSMA-PET is rapidly changing the standard of care for prostate cancer patients

Adoption of PSMA-PET has been swift because it can significantly improve prostate cancer detection and treatment. SNMMI President Munir Ghesani, MD, explains how.

Whole-body PET image reveals body's immune response to COVID

In the study, patients who had recovered from an COVID infection were injected with a small amount of the 89Zr-labeled radiotracer before undergoing a uExplorer PET/CT scan.

Molecular Imaging

FDA approves expanded use of PET imaging agent

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

Industry partnership set to advance research on theranostics

SNMMI unveils its 2025 Image of the Year

3 industry partnerships, 1 clinical aim: Enriching the global supply chain of medical isotopes