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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Novel imaging agent targets pancreatic cancer

MabVax Therapeutic Holdings, in collaboration with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), is presenting an investigational agent for imaging pancreatic cancer and aiding pancreatic tumor resection, MabVax announced Nov. 19.

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The age of theranostic nanoparticles

Over the past several years, theranostic nanoparticle studies have provided several shining examples of where molecular cancer imaging is going. In this review published ahead of print Nov. 20 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, researchers discuss the triumphs and tribulations of these tiny yet potent structures.

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Year in Images 2014

This year, Molecular Imaging Insight is not only providing some of the most stunning images from our pages, but also a few research exclusives and offerings from a handful of scientific meetings from around the world, including the Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), the World Molecular Imaging Congress (WMIC) and the European Congress of Radiology (ECR).

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The Evolution of SPECT

The evolution of SPECT imaging has taken many twists and turns as both equipment technology and new radiopharmaceuticals have been developed over the past decade.

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The Business of Molecular Imaging: A Panoply of Challenges

As is true in all clinical disciplines, nuclear medicine practitioners face challenges and obstacles that do not end with procedures and patient care.

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Lightspeed: The Coming of Age of Proton Therapy

Proton therapy used to be the next-generation cancer treatment that was larger than life and too expensive for any institution other than the most cutting-edge research hospital.

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WMIC Looking Ahead to 2015

The 2014 World Molecular Imaging Congress (WMIC) put a spotlight on the basic science and translation of molecular imaging at the World Trade Center in Seoul, South Korea, in September.

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Pancreatic Cancer: Molecular Imaging’s Increasing Role

Currently ranked the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. and slated to move up the list to No. 2 in the next few years, pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate and among the poorest prognoses of all major cancers. 

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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.