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.

Vanderbilt, GE nab $3.75M NIH grant to study colon cancer at cell level

Vanderbilt University has partnered with GE Global Research to secure a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant help define how colon tumors form and develop at the cellular level.

Molecular oncology & kids: Beware targeted therapies

Although enthusiasm for new molecularly targeted therapies runs high, pediatric oncologists should proceed with caution in treating children, as these agents may be associated with unanticipated and undesirable side effects, according to a review published in the February issue of The Lancet Oncology.

PET technique visualizes amyloid deposits in heart

PET with 11C-PIB provides a noninvasive method for visualizing amyloid deposits in the heart, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The researchers suggest that 11C-PIB eventually may be used in the clinical setting as both a diagnostic tool and a treatment follow-up method.

Biomarker may measure brain tumor response to RT

Diffusion abnormality index has emerged as a potential biomarker to measure brain tumor response to radiation therapy (RT), according to research presented at the 2013 Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium Feb. 9 in Orlando, Fla. The symposium is sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology and the Radiological Society of North America.

Speedy in-room PET shows potential for planning proton therapy

In-room PET scanning during proton therapy is feasible for monitoring treatment ranges and helps overcome logistical issues inherent with transporting a patient to a PET scanner outside the treatment room, according to a small clinical trial published online Feb. 5 in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics.

SUVmax indicates progression-free survival in Stage 1 lung cancer

SUVmax (maximum standardized uptake value) may provide a marker to indicate progression-free survival in Stage 1 nonsmall cell lung cancer patients treated with radiation therapy, according to research presented Feb. 9 at the 2013 Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Orlando, Fla.

CZT SPECT accurately quantifies ejection fraction

While myocardial perfusion imaging using cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) SPECT cameras accurately measures left ventricular ejection fraction, the method underestimates left ventricular volumes, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Dual-time-point PET/CT may help determine malignancy in kids

Semiquantitative analysis of dual-time-point FDG PET data increased specificity for pediatric malignancies compared with single-time-point PET imaging, according to a study published in the February issue of American Journal of Roentgenology.

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