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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Breakthrough method may improve cost, efficiency of radioisotope production

The approach uses a linear electron accelerator and naturally-occurring molybdenum-100, eliminating the need for a nuclear reactor or enriched uranium.

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SHINE gains exclusive license for Lu-177 radioisotope production

Janesville, Wisconsin-based SHINE Medical Technologies has announced an agreement with the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS (IOCB Prague), gaining exclusive rights over an innovation to produce lutetium-177 (Lu-177).

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Novel imaging agent utilizes protein found in scorpion venom

Researchers have combined a new imaging technique and imaging agent which utilizes a synthesized amino acid found in scorpion venom to help illuminate brain tumors during surgery.

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US Nuclear Regulatory Commission seeks feedback on radiopharmaceutical training requirements

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) opened a 30-day public comment period seeking feedback on its draft document outlining training and experience requirements for administrating radiopharmaceuticals requiring a written directive.

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Radionuclide therapy shows long-term benefit in patients with neuroendocrine tumors

Peptide radionuclide therapy (PRRT) demonstrated long-term effectiveness in patients with malignant neuroendocrine tumors, reported authors of a study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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Medical societies publish consensus document on iodine-131 therapy in thyroid cancer

The joint statement—published in Thyroid—was put out by American Thyroid Association, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and the European Thyroid Association.

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PET study shows promise for treating lethal brain cancers

Johns Hopkin’s researchers have created a PET-based approach that can direct cancer drugs to precise points in the brains of mice, according to a study published in the May 1 edition of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. If proven effective in humans, the researchers believe their technique could help patients with difficult brain tumors, such as glioblastomas.

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Another study confirms 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET’s important role in prostate cancer care

The prospective single-center study, published April 30 in the American Journal of Roentgenology, adds more weight to the growing literature suggesting PSMA-11’s vital role in prostate cancer management.

 

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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.