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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Nuclear medicine market projected to rise to $24B by 2030

The worldwide nuclear medicine industry is expected to grow an annual percentage rate of 11 percent, mostly due to a steady 30 percent climb in therapeutic radiopharmaneticals every year between 2013 and 2030, according to a March 2014 market report by European research firm MEDraysintell.

‘Liquid biopsy’ could identify multiple neurodegenerative disorders

Aethlon and subsidiary Exosome Sciences, both based in San Diego, Calif., announced earlier this month that the companies have isolated blood-borne biomarkers implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases.

Human copper transporter agent effective for both melanoma PET imaging and therapy

A novel theranostic agent has the ability to target melanoma and provide radionuclide therapy in preliminary investigation, according to a study published March 13 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Varian acquires Velocity clinical oncology data aggregation software

Varian is acquiring assets of Atlanta-headquartered cancer clinic software company, Velocity Medical Solution, including imaging data aggregation software to improve long-term radiation therapy patient management, Varian announced March 12.

Gold marks the spot in new proton beam tumor tracking system

A partnership between Hitachi and Hokkaido University in Tokyo has led to the first molecular tumor-tracking proton therapy system, Hitachi announced today.

Alzheimer’s Association grants $8M to Harvard researcher

The largest grant ever provided by the Alzheimer’s Association has been given to Reisa Sperling, MD, a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, to fund its Longitudinal Evaluation of Amyloid Risk and Neurodegeneration study.

MedImmune and MD Anderson unite for improved immunotherapies

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and MedImmune, the bioresearch development subsidiary of AstraZeneca, have entered into a collaborative effort to develop new cancer immunotherapies, MD Anderson announced yesterday.

Ga-68 DOTATATE gets orphan drug status for neuroendocrine cancer imaging

Neuroendocrine tumor imaging just got a boost with both U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) orphan drug designation for gallium-68 DOTATATE, used in PET imaging of neuroendocrine cancer.

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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.