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. 

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Lantheus Holdings announces filing of registration statement for proposed initial public offering

Lantheus Holdings, parent company to Lantheus Medical Imaging, a global leader in developing, manufacturing, selling and distributing innovative diagnostic imaging agents, announced today that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. Lantheus Holdings intends to apply to list its common stock on the NASDAQ Global under the ticker symbol "LNTH." The number of shares to be offered and the price range of the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Lantheus Holdings expects to use the net proceeds of the offering to repay indebtedness of LMI and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Anti-amyloid therapy being developed to combat Alzheimer’s memory loss

An investigational amyloid antibody treatment called solanezumab is being evaluated by Northwestern University School of Medicine and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago for its efficacy in slowing memory loss caused by Alzheimer's disease.

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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.

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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.

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Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
Positron partners with Upbeat Cardiology Solutions to improve cardiac PET/CT access

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

Cardiovascular Business
Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

Cardiovascular Business
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.