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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Drugs for erectile dysfunction, diabetes could treat vascular dementia

A drug in the same realm as Viagra could treat and perhaps even prevent certain kinds of dementia. Powerful drugs used as a vascular therapy for diabetic patients also may be put to the task, officials from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and the Alzheimer’s Society UK announced yesterday.

Bavarian Nordic Reaches Enrollment Target in the Pivotal Phase 3 Study of PROSTVAC® in Prostate Cancer

Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA, OTC: BVNRY) announced today that it has reached the planned enrollment of 1,200 patients in the PROSPECT Phase 3 clinical study of its targeted active immunotherapy candidate, PROSTVAC®, in the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Patients were enrolled at 214 sites in 15 countries.

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Speeding up FDA review for neglected diseases

One of the biggest challenges in medicine today is getting effective diagnostic and therapeutic drugs through the regulatory process unscathed. Judit Rius, the U.S. manager and legal policy adviser for Doctors Without Borders has words of wisdom to share about how to improve FDA reviews and incentives for the development of treatments for much needed drugs, including those for neglected tropical diseases.

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PET solves the riddle of drug resistance in tuberculosis research

Dual human and preclinical PET scans shine a light on treatments for tuberculosis (TB) and aid in drug discovery and selection, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. University officials announced on Dec. 3 the results of a pivotal study noting that quantitative PET was earmarked for future clinical trials.

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FDG PET could forecast breast cancer patients’ response to therapy

Quantitative PET using agents like FDG could predict the outcome of chemotherapy for patients with particularly tricky cases of advanced breast cancer, according to a study published Dec. 4 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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NeuroLaunch aids ignition for neuscience startups

NeuroLaunch, the first major worldwide program for neuroscience technology businesses, is taking Atlanta by storm in a rolling 90-day program aimed to give participants and their companies the tools needed to succeed, including seed funding, mentorship, and other resources, such as access to top research centers.

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XTuit Pharmaceuticals brings in $4M investment for cancer research

A $4 million boon is going to Waltham, Mass.-based biomedical company XTuit Pharmaceuticals. The cancer therapy researchers behind XTuit plan to raise an additional $6 million in investments, according to a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Theranostic PET could predict renal cancer progression after therapy

A novel PET technique combining a diagnostic radionuclide with a therapeutic agent can now map the potential results of therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma, according to a study published Dec. 4 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. 

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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.