Positron emission tomography/computed tomography is a hybrid nuclear medicine imaging technique that helps radiologists spot abnormal metabolic activity. PET/CT is commonly used to diagnose cancers, heart diseases and certain brain disorders, among other conditions.
The positive findings come after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration previously shared concerns related to sterility assurance issues during the drug’s production.
“Becoming an independent department elevates this work and strengthens UCLA’s role in shaping the future of precision health," said the department's new acting chairman.
One of the tracer’s more significant advantages is its extended half-life of 109 minutes—significantly longer than other currently available PET MPI imaging agents.
The exam effectively helps providers manage patients’ treatment options, but for some, the costs associated with those treatments may negate the value of its findings.
The method targets cancer stem cells, which are highly tumorigenic and known to play a significant role in relapse, cancer spread and treatment resistance.
Although most radiology organizations agree that [18F]FDG PET/CT can provide valuable information in these patients post-treatment, their recommendations differ on its use.
The agent “exhibits powerful tumor delineation” in challenging cases of determining cancer subtypes, and could potentially lead to more personalized, effective treatment strategies.