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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NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes completes first production-scale test run of molybdenum-99 aliquoting system at the University of Missouri Research Reactor

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes LLC has completed its first production-scale test run of the molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) aliquoting system installed at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) in Columbia, Missouri. The test and subsequent shipment of the resulting Mo-99 to NorthStar’s Madison facility is another milestone in the establishment of domestic production of the vital medical radioisotope.

SPECT can differentiate PTSD from TBI in veterans

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are common conditions afflicting U.S. military veterans, yet they are difficult to distinguish clinically. A new study using brain perfusion SPECT, however, has demonstrated the ability of the modality to differentiate the conditions.

Study: No need for radiotherapy in early Hodgkin’s lymphoma following chemo, negative PET result

Patients with early-stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma who receive negative findings on PET following three cycles of chemotherapy have a very good prognosis whether or not they received follow up radiotherapy, according to the U.K.-based RAPID trial.

MD op-ed: Overcoming roadblocks for imaging biomarker utilization in clinical cancer trials

With the dramatic increase in capabilities and importance of individualized cancer therapies targeting specific tumors according to molecular makeup, it would seem like a no-brainer to incorporate a wide-range of imaging biomarkers into clinical trials and, eventually, clinical practice. So what's the holdup?

ACR and Alzheimer's Association lead trial to inform Medicare brain amyloid imaging coverage

A new four-year research study, with an estimated budget of $100 million, was announced April 16 by the Alzheimer's Association and the American College of Radiology (ACR). 

Providing more ammunition for amino acid PET imaging

A novel amino acid agent could zero in on cancerous tumors and provide a much longer half-life than the status quo, according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

WMIS to collaborate with National Cancer Institute of the NIH to focus on expansion of co-clinical trials

The World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS) today announced the kick-off of a collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to promote best practices for co-clinical trials to speed the discovery of more and better treatments for cancer and other diseases. 

Fluoride PET/MR could be ideal for finding root cause of foot pain

The origins of foot pain are often unclear and present a challenge for clinicians seeking to treat the underlying cause. PET/MR with F-18 fluoride may turn out to be the best modality to solve the mystery, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging announced this month. 

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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.