Within the field of molecular imaging, there are quite a few techniques that are well established within routine clinical practice. Other techniques have earned the reputation of being powerful and innovative when it comes to experimental or preclinical research, but have had trouble translating into the clinic. That could be changing, particularly in the area of optical imaging.

The merging of PET and MRI is producing synergies far beyond the capabilities of two distinct imaging modalities. The sum is clearly greater than its parts, according to researchers using both preclinical and clinical PET/MRI prototypes, notably because scanning is simultaneous rather than sequential like its PET/CT cousin, and the excellent soft tissue visualization MRI offers. A clinical prototype is being used to study human brain tumors, and researchers predict integrated whole-body human PET/MRI scanners will be available in the next couple of years.

PET imaging for Alzheimers disease has a fairly long history. As far back as the early 1980s, researchers realized that FDG-PET scans could show changes in brain activity indicative of Alzheimers disease. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), however, did not reimburse for the procedure. Consequently, when patients were referred for an imaging exam, clinicians more commonly ordered a SPECT study.

The constant drive to predict and characterize cancerous tumor response to therapy that is earlier, better and more specific, as well as the success of the PET tracer FDG coupled with an established and emergent worldwide PET infrastructure are generating greater interest in the utilization of non-FDG radiotracers for oncology. 

This issue of Molecular Imaging Insight features several discussions about Building the Business of Molecular Imaging. I believe it is important to note that clinical molecular imagingand here most prominently PET/CTis still in its infancy with regards to its utilization.

The diagnosing, staging and monitoring of cancer benefits from early response assessment. This includes patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma (STS), malignant tumors, which develop from fat, muscles, nerves, joints, blood vessels, bones and deep skin tissues. Until recently, oncologists typically had to wait months to see if treatment for this rare, and often deadly, disease was effective. PET/CT has changed that scenerio. Researchers now can assess a patients response or lack of response to treatment within one week of completing the first chemotherapy treatment. This is good news for both physicians and patients; physicians can make quicker, more efficient and complete treatment evaluations and alterations which may mean a better quality of life for many sarcoma patients. Another plus for U.S. based facilities is that Medicare coverage for STS was just added for initial treatment strategy.

What does the future hold for nuclear medicine? Molecular Imaging Insight asked two nuclear medicine expertsMarkus Schwaiger, MD, chairman, Department of Nuclear Medicine and professor of nuclear medicine, at the Technical Universtiy of Munich in Germany and Liselotte Hjgaard, MD, DMSc, professor in medicine and technology, University of Copenhagen, and director, department of clinical physiology, nuclear medicine and PET at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmarkto share their vision of nuclear medicine in 2020. How do their visions compare to each other, and to yours?

Although evidence-based medicine has been the focus of work by many healthcare researchers, molecular imaging and nuclear medicine has received scant attention in this arena.