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.

BlueCross BlueShield Tennessee to expand cardiac PET coverage

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee announced it will expand Medicare coverage for cardiac PET, according to the Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). The change will take effect later this year.

Tau PET agent accurately diagnosis Alzheimer’s from other neurodegenerative diseases

In patients with diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease (AD), [18F] flortaucipir PET imaging proved accurate in distinguishing AD from other neurodegenerative diseases, according to a multicenter study published in JAMA.

SNMMI, ASNC encourage BCBS to expand coverage of cardiac PET

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) submitted a letter to BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) of Tennessee urging an expansion of cardiac PET coverage.

Amyloid load is a more sensitive biomarker for Alzheimer’s imaging

Amyloid load (AβL) imaged in vivo using [18F]Florbetapir PET is a more sensitive biomarker for measuring the global amyloid (Aβ) burden compared to composite standardized uptake value ratio (SUVr), reported authors of a Sept. 6 Journal of Nuclear Medicine study.

SNMMI supports proposed expansion of cardiac PET coverage

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) recently submitted comment to BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) of Tennessee supporting its proposed expansion of cardiac PET coverage.

Experts find flaw in prostate cancer PET imaging technique

Authors of a recent Journal of Nuclear Medicine study have discovered potential for misdiagnosis when relying solely on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET imaging in prostate cancer staging.

Electron microscopic imaging of virus may reveal new potential for gene therapy

Researchers from the Salk Institute in San Diego and the University of Florida have used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) imaging to analyze a 3D model of the AAV2 virus. The advanced molecular imaging technique may demonstrate the potential for the virus to act as a delivery vehicle for gene therapies, according to research published Sept. 7 in Nature Communications.

Novel nuclear imaging method targets cancer-associated fibroblasts, outperforms 18F-FDG

A German-led research team has developed a new nuclear medicine imaging technique that outperforms standard tumor imaging by targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), according to research published in the September issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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