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.

Advanced surgical cytoscopy uses antibodies to detect bladder cancer

Intraoperative cytoscopic imaging being developed at Stanford University School of Medicine uses antibodies and fluorescence to home in on a protein target called CD47 to improve surgical accuracy, the institution announced Wednesday. 

Sentinel lymph node mapping for ovarian cancer?

With all of the recent expansion of sentinel lymph node mapping for melanoma and breast cancers and now in all solid tumors, some experts are wondering about the value of this technique for ovarian cancer. A study published ahead of print Oct. 20 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine makes the case.

Endomicroscopic imaging points to esophageal disease prior to surgery

Surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) could be improved by an emerging imaging technique called endomicroscopy, which can detect cellular changes indicating pre-cancerous or cancerous growths. The system can also be used to monitor patients for recurrent disease after GERD anti-reflux surgery.

ABT brings in $15M investment for market advancement

Producers of cyclotron and PET generator technologies ABT Molecular Imaging announced Oct. 20 that the company would be expanding into global markets with a $15 million boost in financing.

Stem cells engineered to fight brain cancer

Toxins produced by highly specialized stem cells work to treat brain cancer. Researchers from Harvard Medical School are the engineers behind these killer stem cells.

PET/CT: Toshiba presents new large-bore system

Toshiba is bringing what is being called the industry’s largest-bore PET/CT to the upcoming Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting next month in Chicago from Nov. 30-Dec. 5, according to an Oct. 27 announcement.

Lilly to pay reduced punitive damages in bladder cancer trial

Eli Lilly and Company, makers of amyloid PET agent Amyvid, announced yesterday evening that the judge in the case of Terrence Allen, et al. v. Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., et al, has ruled to reduce punitive damages for defendants Takeda and Lilly from $6 billion and $3 billion, respectively, down to $27.6 million and $9.2 million.

Hyperpolarized lung MRI portrays the perils of smoking

A relatively new MR technique that vastly improves imaging resolution is able to find the minute lung pathology associated with smoking habits—even before respiratory symptoms become a drag, according to a study published ahead of print Oct. 13 in Radiology.

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