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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Genomics market on the rise

The genomics market is expected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 7.28 percent from 2013 to 2018, according to a recent market report from market research firms Infiniti Research Limited and TechNavio. 

BRIC diagnostic imaging markets to reach $7.6B by 2018

The diagnostic imaging markets in Brazil, Russia, India and China—known as the BRIC markets, are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.5 percent, reaching $7.6 billion within the next four years.

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SPECT Alzheimer’s imaging gains more momentum

PET has dominated the amyloid imaging ring for several years now, but a preclinical study is showing some signs that SPECT could give PET a run for its money eventually, especially in translational research, according to a study published Dec. 4 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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Protein relays how patients will respond to cancer immunotherapy

A protein that suppresses immune response could tell researchers how patients taking a novel cancer immunotherapy will fare, Yale officials announced Nov. 26. The discovery could predict immune response in the treatment of a wide variety of cancers.

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Biogen to take anti-amyloid drug to late stage trial

Cambridge, Mass., based biomedical company Biogen Idec announced encouraging results of a phase II drug targeting amyloid in Alzheimer’s patients at a Deutsche Bank conference in Boston today.

Blood biomarkers tip off pre-malignant cancers

Early detection of blood cancers may be getting a big push with the discovery of a pre-cancerous state of genetic mutation in lymphomas, leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and other blood diseases. The biomarker is easily detectable in peripheral blood samples, according to two major studies published online Nov. 26 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

RSNA: FDG uptake could help differentiate PTSD from mild TBI in veterans

CHICAGO—PET/CT has demonstrated promise for differentiating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in military veterans, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

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Frost & Sullivan honors new Philips PET/CT

Philips Healthcare has won the title of the 2014 North America Award for Technology Innovation Leadership from the market research firm Frost & Sullivan based on the integrated technology of the Vereos digital PET/CT system, Frost & Sullivan officials announced Nov. 26.

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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.