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PET scans guiding chemo boosts remission for Hodgkin patients

A clinical trial found that using PET imaging to guide chemotherapy significantly increases remission rates and reduces toxic side effects in advanced Hodgkin lymphoma patients. The study showed a promising approach to tailor treatment to individual patients, leading to a potential new standard of care.

SourceSWOG·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 11, 2016

Study shows likely overuse of PET scans to detect recurrence in lung & esophageal cancers

A study published in the JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that PET scans did not improve two-year survival rates for lung and esophageal cancer patients. The researchers suggest potential overuse of PET scans in detecting recurrence, warranting efforts to decrease unnecessary utilization.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 22, 2016

Are lung cancer survivors getting too many costly scans for no reason? Study suggests so

A national look at PET scan use for lung and esophageal cancer survivors found widespread variation between hospitals, with some using scans eight times more often than others. The study suggests that this approach doesn't improve survival rates and is being inappropriately used at many hospitals.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 22, 2016

Wavelets improve medical imaging

Research published in the International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology reveals a wavelet transform approach that improves medical imaging. The technique boosts the signal-to-noise ratio and reduces artifacts, allowing for earlier disease detection and diagnosis.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology·DateSep 11, 2015

Imaging glucose uptake activity inside single cells

A new approach to visualize glucose uptake activity in single living cells has been developed by Columbia University researchers. This technique uses stimulated Raman scattering imaging with a small alkyne tag to generate a strong Raman signal, allowing for high-sensitivity imaging of glucose uptake at the cellular level.

SourceColumbia University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 17, 2015

Most women with early-stage breast cancer undergo imaging for metastatic cancer despite guidelines

A study found that 86% of women with early-stage breast cancer in Ontario underwent imaging to detect metastatic cancer, despite international guidelines recommending against it. The use of advanced imaging increased and varied by geographic region and hospital type, highlighting a need for improved knowledge translation strategies.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJun 22, 2015

Imaging immunity

A novel approach harnessing positron emission tomography (PET) imaging identifies areas of immune cell activity associated with inflammation or tumor development. This method offers a potential breakthrough in diagnostics and monitoring efficacy of cancer therapies.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2015

Characteristic pattern of protein deposits in brains of retired NFL players who suffered concussions

A new imaging tool found a strikingly similar pattern of abnormal protein deposits in the brains of retired NFL players with concussions, which may help identify brain disorders like CTE. The study also shows differences in brain imaging patterns between concussed athletes and healthy individuals.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2015

One nanoparticle, 6 types of medical imaging

University at Buffalo researchers have designed a nanoparticle that can be detected by six medical imaging techniques, including CT scanning, PET scanning, and photoacoustic imaging. This technology has the potential to provide doctors with clearer pictures of patients' organs and tissues, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 20, 2015

Neuroimaging technique identifies concussion-related brain disease in living brain

A new experimental PET tracer effectively diagnoses chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) while patients are still alive. The technology differentiates CTE from other forms of dementia, enabling estimates of prevalence and risk. This breakthrough improves diagnosis and treatment for athletes and others exposed to repeated head trauma.

A picture's worth a thousand words

Researchers developed a non-invasive imaging technique to track beta cell status in type 1 diabetes patients. The PET scan detects the amount of radiotracer in the pancreas, indicating the overall amount or volume of active beta cells present.

SourceJDRF·JournalDiabetes·DateJun 12, 2014