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.

SNMMI 2014: Sentinel lymph node SPECT/CT spots more cancer

Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)  leadership and a panel of experts announced today the most striking research being presented at the 2014 SNMMI Annual Meeting at the America’s Center convention center from June 7-11. This included the abstract of the year outlining how sentinel lymph node SPECT/CT imaging bests lymphoscintigraphy.

SNMMI 2014: Stem-cell treatment could halt damage from a heart attack

Acute myocardial infarction causes thousands of fatalities each year. What if there was a way to use stem-cell regeneration to prevent the devastating after-effects of a heart attack? According to researchers presenting a Japanese study at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2014 Annual Meeting, this therapy exists and could potentially prevent dangerous cardiac tissue damage.

SNMMI 2014: Tau PET study takes Image of the Year

Novel PET imaging of the hallmark neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer’s disease using F-18 THK5117 has nabbed the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2014 Image of the Year award. The study involved a head-to-head comparison of tau and amyloid PET imaging to verify whether tau PET can image the progression of Alzheimer’s pathology.

SNMMI 2014: Circulating cancer cells count down to metastasis

High-powered radioluminescence microscopy can home in on extremely scarce malignant cells among billions of normal cells in a blood sample. Leveraging the molecular imaging of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) could mean early detection of metastasis and the potential to improve survival for patients with several varieties of cancer, according to a study presented today during the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2014 Annual Meeting press conference.

SNMMI 2014: Welcome montage

ST. LOUIS--As the weekend opening of the 61st Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Annual Meeting sunsets, three more days full of meetings, presentations and exhibitions approach. See an SNMMI-hosted audiovisual montage of highlights and attendee interviews from the first two days of the conference.

ImaginAb and UCLA strike a licensing agreement for immuno-PET agents

Los Angeles-based biomedical firm ImaginAb has announced June 3 that the company is working with researchers at the University of California and has settled on a technology licensing agreement for the developmentof investigational immune cell PET agents.

ImaginAb Presents Initial Phase I/IIa Results for Prostate Imaging Agent at Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Annual Meeting

ImaginAb, Inc., in collaboration with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MKSCC), will be presenting initial clinical data with an anti-PSMA recombinant antibody fragment (a "minibody") derived from the huJ591 monoclonal antibody, in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. The presentation of this initial data coincides with the Company's preparation to expand the clinical development of this promising imaging agent in the US and internationally.

Parkinsonism: Transplanted stem cells survive and thrive

Remediation of Parkinson’s via stem cell transplantation has been verified and dopamine transporter (DAT) expression was found to be normal not just in short-term studies, but for 4-14 years after transplantation of dopamine neurons, according to a study published June 5 in Cell Reports.

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