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. 

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Lymph node-targeting tracer pinpoints more metastatic breast cancer

The newly approved imaging agent, Lymphoseek, sought out 94 percent of found breast cancer metastases to the sentinel lymph nodes, according to a study published in the March edition of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.

FDA, EMA to review florbetaben

The FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have accepted Piramal Imaging’s applications for review of the investigational PET amyloid imaging agent [18F] florbetaben.

SNMMI unveils online resource for reducing radiation dose

 The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has launched an online reference library geared for physicians and imaging professionals as well as the general public to advocate that the lowest possible dose be used for diagnostically accurate imaging.

Alzheimer’s likely takes more than two decades to develop

A prospective study published in the April issue of The Lancet showed how beta-amyloid burden in the brain relates to the long-term progression of cognitive decline, cerebral atrophy and other indications of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). “Beta-amyloid deposition is slow and protracted, likely to extend for more than two decades,” the authors wrote.

PET/MR holds promise for a range of diseases

The emergence of PET/MR imaging has been solidly underway for a few years and the combination of the two modalities represents significant improvements to PET alone, namely MR’s excellent soft-tissue contrast and ability to capture not only physiologic but also biochemical and metabolic data. A review in the March issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine presents an updated perspective on how PET/MR is moving forward.

Lymph node biopsy for prostate cancer best planned with hybrid imaging

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsies determining primary prostate cancer metastases require diversified imaging techniques due to the location of these lymph nodes buried within the pelvis and elsewhere. As many as 44 percent of SLNs are located outside the pelvic region. Hybrid near-infrared fluorescence and SPECT/CT or PET/MR may provide some advantages before and during surgery, according to a review in the March issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Siemens ups Amyvid production, distribution

Siemens PETNET Solutions has expanded manufacturing and distribution of the amyloid-targeting imaging agent F-18 Florbetapir (Amyvid) to 17 sites.

FDA may fast track therapies for early Alzheimer’s

The FDA may soon clear a path for promising drug treatments for patients showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease in order to foster development and commercial availability and fill the void for this as yet untreatable disease, according to an article in the March issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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