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.

Diversified PET/MR differentiates more breast lesions

Using a multiparametric approach, PET/MR imaging with F-18 FDG, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging and 3-D proton MR spectroscopic imaging is superior for telling apart different kinds of breast tumors, according to a study published online June 24 in Clinical Cancer Research.

IBA to develop, distribute PSMA PET/CT agent for ImaginAb

ImaginAb announced earlier this month that IBA Molecular will be taking on radiochemistry, manufacturing and distribution of the diagnostic immunoPET agent for prostate cancer, Zr-89 Df-IAB2M, as U.S. clinical trials roll out.

More government support is needed as regenerative medicine market grows

Regenerative medicine is generating growing interest in terms of research and market investment, according to a data analysis announced June 18 by Frost & Sullivan.

Chronic REM sleep disorder may lead to neurodegenerative wake-up call

REM behavior disorder (RBD) is highly correlated with the development and progression of neurodegenerative disease including Parkinson’s, according to a brain study presented during the recent Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2014 Annual Meeting.

Preclinical Opti-SPECT/PET/CT system preps intraoperative drug discovery

Jigsaw preclinical imaging is not a new concept. However novel instrumentation called Opti-SPECT/PET/CT presented during the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) held June 7-11 in St. Louis brings together a full spectrum of molecular imaging technology into one system—and one scan. Bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging agents developed with the platform could one day be implemented as intraoperative tracers during surgery, most notably for oncologic procedures.

FAP inflammation imaging narrows in on osteoarthritis

SPECT and PET can detect the pathology of chronic joint pain due to rheumatoid arthritis when performed with agents that target antifibroblast activation protein (FAP) antibodies, according to a study presented last week during the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) in St. Louis.

Peptide receptor chemo-radionuclide therapy trips up more NETs

Chemo and radionuclide therapy together with the addition of drugs that make patients more radiosensitive have been shown to diminish and even suppress neuroendeocrine tumors (NETs) from progressing in 70 percent of cases. As a result, peptide receptor chemo-radionuclide therapy may offer patients improved survival rates, according to a study presented at the recent Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2014 Annual Meeting held June 7-11 in St. Louis.

SPECT/CT spots source of low back pain

Back pain is a burden for most people at some point in their lifetime, but pinpointing the reason for the pain can be tricky. Researchers presenting during the recent Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2014 Annual Meeting in St. Louis have found that SPECT/CT in addition to conventional bone scan gets straight to the point of pain, leading to much higher pain relief following intervention.

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