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.

'Sterility failures' prompt FDA to threaten radiopharmaceutical producer with disciplinary action
Multiple issues that could raise the risk of product contamination were discovered during an inspection, according to an FDA warning letter.
Radiopharmaceutical manufacturer secures $30M to bolster domestic isotope production
Although the company is already bringing in revenue from medical radioisotopes, the new funding will help further these initiatives and drive additional research and development.
Department of Energy, Shine working on $263M deal to establish Mo-99 supply in US
If approved, the funds would go toward the completion of Chrysalis—Shine's first-of-its-kind medical isotope production facility.
Radiopharma firm secures $85M to expand domestic production of radioisotopes
SpectronRx announced the funding on April 2, highlighting the critical need for a reliable domestic supply of radiopharmaceuticals.
Department of energy partners to bolster domestic radioisotope supply
Gadolinium-153, or Gd-153, is routinely used to calibrate nuclear imaging equipment. It has been in short supply since 2023 when global distribution of the radioisotope came to a halt.

Imagers reviewing flurpiridaz F-18 (Flyrcado) myocardial perfusion PET images. Image from GE Healthcare

ASNC says PET is now the preferred nuclear imaging test for CAD

Which imaging modality is better for evaluating heart patients, PET or SPECT? After years of discussions and debates, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology is now ready to point to PET as the No. 1 choice. “There are no clinical scenarios or patient subgroups where cardiac PET with myocardial blood flow should be excluded," the group wrote.

Novel theranostic shows promise for treating gastric and pancreatic cancer

New theranostic could potentially cure difficult-to-treat gastric and pancreatic cancers

Researchers believe new research findings relating to the PET technique signal its potential “to meaningfully change patient care.”

Leading nuclear medicine organizations collaborate to streamline PET accreditation

The groups have jointly endorsed a unified framework “to standardize and harmonize quantitative PET imaging worldwide.”

Copper-based radiotracer excels at PSMA imaging

Copper-based PSMA radiotracer shines in clinical trial

The tracer's extended half-life of over three hours could make it a promising candidate for future prostate cancer diagnostics.

Reinventing radiology: RSNA's president speaks on the specialty's evolving role in patient care

“We have become increasingly integral to the care pathway," RSNA President Umar Mahmood, MD, PhD, said during this year's Presidential Address.

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.

Molecular Imaging

'Sterility failures' prompt FDA to threaten radiopharmaceutical producer with disciplinary action

Radiopharmaceutical manufacturer secures $30M to bolster domestic isotope production

Department of Energy, Shine working on $263M deal to establish Mo-99 supply in US

Radiopharma firm secures $85M to expand domestic production of radioisotopes

Department of energy partners to bolster domestic radioisotope supply