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 radioembolization therapy for liver cancer
The added indications make the treatment the first Y-90 therapy approved for both unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic colorectal cancer of the liver.
Post-ablation PET imaging may not be cost-effective in patients with liver metastases
Although most radiology organizations agree that [18F]FDG PET/CT can provide valuable information in these patients post-treatment, their recommendations differ on its use.
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.

Another study confirms 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET’s important role in prostate cancer care

The prospective single-center study, published April 30 in the American Journal of Roentgenology, adds more weight to the growing literature suggesting PSMA-11’s vital role in prostate cancer management.

NIH awards $5.1M for PET-based method to reduce CVD risk

“With imaging, we’ll be able to identify vulnerable plaque, deliver treatment directly to it, and see whether the treatment is effective," said award recipient Yongjian Liu, PhD, with Washington University in St. Louis.

NorthStar closes $100M in financing to expand domestic Mo-99 production

The company received $75 million at closing from funds managed by Oberland Capital Management. NorthStar has the option to draw another $25 million before December 31, 2020.

PET/CT radiotracer benefits clinicians, prostate cancer patients

18F-DCFPyL PSMA PET/CT imaging accurately localized biochemically recurrent prostate cancer and prompted clinicians to change their management plans in more than 80% of patients, according to a recent study in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

DOE land transfer puts company on-track for domestic Mo-99 facility

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently transferred land in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to Coquí Radio Pharmaceuticals, pushing the company closer to establishing a domestic production of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), an isotope used in many molecular imaging exams.

PET brain scans help connect the dots between CTE, tackle football

PET brain scans of living former NFL players with cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms showed higher tau levels than controls in brain regions typically affected by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to an April 11 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

68Ga-PSMA-11 PET has positive impact on prostate cancer patients

The PET radiotracer 68Ga-PSMA-11 improved the detection of biochemically recurrent prostate cancer, according to results of a prospective trial published in JAMA Oncology.

ACR, SNMMI create new clinical registry for nuclear medicine

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) are collaborating to create a new clinical data registry to support high-quality practice and care in nuclear medicine.

Molecular Imaging

FDA approves expanded use of radioembolization therapy for liver cancer

Post-ablation PET imaging may not be cost-effective in patients with liver metastases

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