Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) includes positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Nuclear imaging is achieved by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) into patients before or during their scan. 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.

FAPI PET shows promise to make a big impact in cardiovascular imaging
More and more imaging researchers are starting to examine the potential of using fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPI) to manage patients with suspected cardiovascular disease.
Software glitch prompts FDA recall of popular PET systems
The recall was issued due to the potential for the systems to produce artifacts during PET exams.
New theranostic could potentially cure difficult-to-treat gastric and pancreatic cancers
Researchers believe new research findings relating to the PET technique signal its potential “to meaningfully change patient care.”
ASNC reports shortage of cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers
The two vendors involved say supplies of PYP and HDP could be disrupted for months.
Bayer expands into molecular imaging with cardiac amyloidosis tracer acquisitions
Bayer is acquiring two cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers from Attralus, one for PET and one for SPECT. The SPECT tracer is also a theranostic agent to both image and treat amyloidosis.

SNMMI Image of the Year 68Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT heart attack acute myocardial infarction

FAPI PET shows promise to make a big impact in cardiovascular imaging

More and more imaging researchers are starting to examine the potential of using fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPI) to manage patients with suspected cardiovascular disease.

Software glitch prompts FDA recall of popular PET systems

The recall was issued due to the potential for the systems to produce artifacts during PET exams.

Novel theranostic shows promise for treating gastric and pancreatic cancer

New theranostic could potentially cure difficult-to-treat gastric and pancreatic cancers

Researchers believe new research findings relating to the PET technique signal its potential “to meaningfully change patient care.”

ASNC reports shortage of cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers

The two vendors involved say supplies of PYP and HDP could be disrupted for months.

PET-CT imaging of 124-I evuzamitide and SPECT-CT imaging of 99mTc-p5+14 showed radiotracer uptake in both AL and ATTR amyloid throughout the myocardium. Emily B. Martin, Anne Kassira, Alan Stuckey, et al. A tale of two tracers - Amyloid imaging with investigational radiotracers iodine (124I) evuzamitide and 99mTc-p5+14 (AT-05). https://www.journalofnuclearcardiology.org/article/S1071-3581(25)00325-3/abstract.

Bayer expands into molecular imaging with cardiac amyloidosis tracer acquisitions

Bayer is acquiring two cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers from Attralus, one for PET and one for SPECT. The SPECT tracer is also a theranostic agent to both image and treat amyloidosis.

Bayer expands into molecular imaging with 2 acquisitions

The company has reached a deal to purchase two investigational imaging agents from Attralus Inc., a Naples, Florida-based biopharmaceutical firm.

Sarah-Jane James, CT, MRI, molecular imaging senior market analyst for Signify Research, explains key trends in imaging systems she saw at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2025 meeting.

Key trends in medical imaging systems at RSNA 2025

Sarah-Jane James, imaging market analyst for Signify Research, discusses key trends in the specialty that she saw at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting.

Lantheus completes sale of SPECT business

Lantheus has signaled that the decision to sell its SPECT business will allow the company to focus more on growing its portfolio of PET radiodiagnostics and microbubbles.