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.

IBA Molecular, MIM Software Sign Agreement for PETLinQ Enhancement

IBA Molecular North America, Inc. (IBA Molecular) and MIM Software Inc. (MIM Software™) have announced an agreement to co-develop enhancements to the IBA Molecular PETLinQ™ suite of products.

SNMMI: FDG PET bests MPI in detecting early stage CAD

F-18 FDG PET is superior to stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in detecting coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly single-vessel disease, according to research presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2013 annual meeting in Vancouver.

Stabin at SNMMI: It’s time to take on patient-specific dosimetry

The rally cry heard round the Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) educational sessions, hallway discussions and exhibit floor pitches this week in Vancouver was the message of Hal Anger Lectureship & Award lecturer Michael G. Stabin, PhD, researcher at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, too: patient-specific dosimetry is a must in diagnosis and therapy. “Patients are different, they need different therapy,” he said.

SNMMI: PET/CT + breast MR predict chemo’s ability to prolong life for breast cancer patients

The combination of PET and MR imaging data can provide physicians with information on the effectiveness of chemotherapy prior to surgery, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) in Vancouver.

CMS halts coverage with evidence development for PET

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on June 11 issued a ruling to end the requirement for coverage with evidence development for scans using 18F-FDG PET under the National Oncologic Pet Registry (NOPR) for 18-F FDG PET exams.

SNMMI: Amino acid PET helps shed light on pediatric glioma

Use of O-(2-[18F]-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (F-18 FET), an amino acid PET agent, was shown to be highly accurate in identifying brain lesions in children suspected of glioma cerebral cancer, according to a study presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2013 annual meeting in Vancouver.

SNMMI: Radioimmunotherapy + chemo boosts survival for lymphoma patients

Combining radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with chemotherapy can significantly improve chance of survival for patients with recurrent lymphoma compared with chemotherapy alone, according to a study presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2013 annual meeting in Vancouver.

MIM Software Showcases a Single Platform Viewing Solution for PET, CT, MRI, and Nuclear Medicine Exams at SNMMI 2013

MIM Software Inc., a leading global provider of medical imaging software, announced they will be showcasing a new version of MIM Encore that provides a single platform for viewing PET, CT, MRI and Nuclear Medicine exams at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2013 Annual Meeting.

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