Reston, VA (August 11, 2026)— New research has been published ahead-of-print by The Journal of Nuclear Medicine ( JNM ). JNM is published by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to advancing nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and theranostics—precision medicine that allows diagnosis and treatment to be tailored to individual patients in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Summaries of the newly published research articles are provided below.
Study Tests Intensified PSMA-Targeted Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer
The OPTIMAL-PSMA trial will compare an intensified dosing schedule of 177 Lu-PSMA-597 with standard treatment in 120 patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Researchers will assess safety, PSA responses, disease progression, survival, and treatment-related changes using blood tests, imaging, SPECT/CT, and PSMA PET/CT.
Dosimetry Study Examines Radiation Doses From PSMA-Targeted Therapy
A dosimetry analysis from the RESIST-PC phase 2 trial evaluated radiation doses in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer receiving either 6.0 or 7.4 GBq of 177 Lu-PSMA-617. Researchers used serial imaging to measure radiation absorbed by organs and tumors and examined how tumor dose related to PSA response.
Designing the Next Generation of Radioligand Therapies
Radionuclide ligand conjugates (RLCs) are emerging as important cancer treatment and imaging tools, with proven success targeting PSMA and somatostatin receptors. This perspective examines challenges to expanding RLCs, including target selection, matching radionuclides to disease characteristics, and developing biomarker-guided combination strategies to address treatment resistance.
Engineered Protein Enables New Approach to Targeted Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
Researchers developed a radiopharmaceutical therapy approach that uses genetically engineered tumor cells expressing a bacterial protein to selectively deliver radioactive iodine. In mouse studies, radioiodinated trimethoprim showed specific tumor uptake on PET imaging and produced time- and dose-dependent cancer cell killing, reducing the growth of engineered tumors.
68 Ga-HER2 PET/CT May Predict Response to Breast Cancer Treatment
A study of 45 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer found that changes in tumor uptake on 68 Ga-HER2 PET/CT during neoadjuvant treatment were associated with treatment response. Lower uptake after two treatment cycles and before surgery was linked to a greater likelihood of achieving a pathologic complete response.
Real-World Study Confirms Benefit of 177 Lu-PSMA-617 in Advanced Prostate Cancer
A large French real-world study evaluated 177 Lu-PSMA-617 in 3,709 patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated through an early-access program. Researchers assessed treatment effectiveness and safety, finding disease control in most patients and a manageable safety profile, including among patients older than 75 years.
Higher Tumor Radiation Dose Linked to Better Survival in Neuroendocrine Tumors
A study of 81 patients with metastatic grade 1 and 2 neuroendocrine tumors found that higher radiation doses delivered to the entire tumor burden during 177 Lu-DOTATATE therapy were associated with longer progression-free and overall survival. Researchers used quantitative SPECT imaging to measure tumor doses and evaluate their relationship with patient outcomes.
Dosimetry Study Evaluates Radiation Exposure From Intraperitoneal 224 Ra Therapy
A dosimetry study evaluated radiation exposure in nine patients with peritoneal metastases from ovarian or colorectal cancer who received 224 Ra-CaCO3-MP after surgery. Researchers used blood samples, imaging, and biokinetic modeling to estimate absorbed doses to healthy tissues, including bone, kidneys, liver, and red bone marrow.
Study Compares Methods for Detecting Tau in Alzheimer Disease
A study of nearly 4,000 participants compared visual and quantitative approaches for interpreting 18 F-flortaucipir tau PET scans. Researchers found only moderate agreement between the methods, particularly among cognitively unimpaired individuals. Participants with visually positive but quantitatively negative scans were more likely to have amyloid buildup and faster clinical progression.
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About JNM and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM) is the world’s leading nuclear medicine, molecular imaging and theranostics journal, accessed more than 90 million times each year by practitioners around the globe, providing them with the information they need to advance this rapidly expanding field. Current and past issues of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine can be found online at http://jnm.snmjournals.org.
JNM is published by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to advancing nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and theranostics—precision medicine that allows diagnosis and treatment to be tailored to individual patients in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. For more information, visit www.snmmi.org.
Journal of Nuclear Medicine