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. 

Mevion Medical Systems introduces Hyperscan for the Mevion S250 platform

Hyperscan is debuting at the 56th annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), held September 14 – 16 in San Francisco.  Mevion representatives will formally introduce Hyperscan at booth 728 in the exhibit hall.

Agendia test for molecular subtyping of breast cancer is a better guide to pre-surgical treatment

In findings that could eventually change the way breast cancer is treated, a study reports that the BluePrint genomic test provides more accurate information about the molecular subtype of breast cancer than does conventional IHC-FISH pathology testing.

Eli Lilly funds lawsuit against CMS for limiting amyloid imaging

Makers of F-18 florbetapir (Amyvid) are bankrolling a lawsuit against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which hampered coverage of amyloid imaging earlier this year as a means for ruling out Alzheimer’s disease. The lawsuit was filed in federal court by Lilly and others Sept. 5, according to this Wall Street Journal report.

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Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT finds more NETs

A comparison study of three different methods of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) detection that includes PET/CT, SPECT/CT and whole body MR imaging places PET/CT with gallium-68 (Ga-68) DOTATATE on a pedestal above the rest for its sensitivity in finding NETs, according to a study published Aug. 28 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Stem Cells reveal neurochemical flood in schizophrenics

Schizophrenia may be tripped off by an overabundance of chemical signals pumped out by neurons in the brain. The University of California, San Diego, announced Sept. 11 that researchers from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences are using stem cells to see the flood of neurotransmitters first-hand.

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IBA and Philips to collaborate on cancer research and technology

Ion Beam Applications (IBA) announced today that the company will be teaming up with Philips Healthcare to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic research and technology, including proton therapy systems.

AAA acquires GE's FDG-PET sector in Italy

Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA) announced today that it has acquired GE Healthcare’s FDG-PET radiopharmaceutical division in Italy.

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NOPR: All NaF agreements must be updated

The American College of Radiology and the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance are prompting all participants of the bone-imaging portion of the National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR) to sign new agreements by Sept. 22.