Articles tagged with Molecular Imaging
A promising radionuclide treatment has been identified for HER2-positive breast cancer patients, combining radioactive iodine therapy with single-domain antibodies targeting the HER2 antigen. The treatment demonstrates safety and efficacy in a phase I study, paving the way for further clinical development.
Researchers at Rice University have refined models to analyze gadolinium-based contrast agents, which are used in 40% of MRIs worldwide. The team's goal is to design better and more customizable contrast agents that improve image quality while minimizing risks.
A new system developed at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory determines the 3D structures of RNA-only molecules with high resolution, applying it to a ribozyme from pond scum and a piece of viral RNA from SARS-CoV-2. The study reveals tiny pockets in the viral RNA that could be targeted for COVID-19 treatments.
Researchers developed a topical fluorescent imaging agent targeting PARP1 enzyme in cervical cancer cells, enabling real-time detection with handheld microscopes. This non-invasive method could revolutionize cervical cancer screenings and biopsies, especially in low-resource areas.
A new radiotracer, 18F-TRX, has been developed to measure iron concentration in tumors, predicting treatment response. The agent successfully distinguished between tumor types and identified those likely to respond to iron-targeted therapies.
The uEXPLORER total-body PET/CT scanner has been evaluated for its performance exceeding industry standards with ultra-high sensitivity and excellent spatial resolution. The study also proposed new phantom measurements to characterize long-AFOV scanners, enabling the testing of their performance in improving patient care.
The study found that 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT imaging can improve restaging of disease in more than half of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, particularly those with local recurrence. This new imaging modality may help detect new or clarify inconclusive results obtained by standard CT imaging.
Researchers found deficits in neuronal function and cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients, with some impairments continuing six months after diagnosis. PET brain scans showed a significant recovery of regional neuronal function and cognition in most patients.
Researchers developed a novel PET tracer to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and predict rupture risk. The tracer, targeting chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2), showed safety and effectiveness in diagnosing AAAs and assessing treatment response.
A phase III clinical trial validates the effectiveness of 18F-DCFPyL in detecting and localizing recurrent prostate cancer, achieving high positive predictive values across various regions. The study's results support the use of PSMA-targeted radiotracers as the most sensitive and accurate agents for imaging prostate cancer.
A novel PET radiotracer detects increases in brain tau, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, up to 12 months before symptoms emerge. This allows for effective selection of patients for clinical trials, potentially speeding the development of treatments.
A new radiopharmaceutical, 18F-DASA-23, has successfully visualized the 'master switch' protein PKM2 in glioblastoma patients. This allows for non-invasive assessment of treatment response and potential early detection of therapeutic effectiveness.
Dr. Thomas J. Ruth is recognized for his significant contributions to nuclear medicine, including the development of radioisotopes for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. He has been a leader in radiopharmaceutical sciences for over four decades and has mentored numerous scientists in the field.
Dr. Larson has been named recipient of the prestigious Paul C. Aebersold Award for his contributions to cancer imaging and radionuclide therapy. He is a world-renowned expert in radiopharmaceutical therapy and molecular imaging.
Research found that lipophilic statins double the risk of developing dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment. PET scans revealed a decline in brain metabolism, particularly in the posterior cingulate cortex.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has announced 17 new Fellows, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the field. The newly elected Fellows include experts who have demonstrated excellence in scientific discovery, educational efforts, and clinical practice.
Researchers developed a super-resolution technique that harnesses unwanted head motion to enhance brain PET image resolution. This method shows promise in detecting neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease at their earliest stages, enabling quicker diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers developed a new PET/CT radiotracer that targets activated fibroblasts in lungs, enabling direct imaging of pulmonary fibrosis. The study showed promising results, suggesting the radiotracer's potential to reduce lung biopsies and improve disease management.
A new radiopharmaceutical has been developed to treat ovarian cancer, dramatically limiting tumor growth and decreasing tumor mass. The treatment, which can be produced in just 25 minutes at low cost, shows promise as an efficient alternative to existing methods.
Researchers developed a deep learning network using data from over 20,000 patients to predict annualized risk for heart attack or death. The network identified regions of the heart associated with high-risk patients and provided rapid risk scores.
The SNMMI Virtual Annual Meeting will convene over 6,000 attendees to share breaking news and research in precision medicine, focusing on early diagnosis, effective therapy delivery, and optimized treatment monitoring. The meeting features hundreds of scientific abstracts and a cutting-edge exhibit hall.
Caltech professor Ibrahim Cissé has pioneered techniques to visualize gene expression in living cells using super-resolution imaging. His work applies physics to RNA transcription, shedding light on the behavior of biomolecules and potential applications in understanding neurodegenerative diseases.
A new treatment for late-stage neuroendocrine tumors has been shown to be more effective and have fewer side effects than the current standard of care. Researchers found that a modified therapy, known as 177Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE, is safest and produces the best tumor response when given in specific doses.
Researchers have developed Immuno-PET, a technique that visualizes changes in different cancer receptors within tumors during targeted therapies, enabling early evaluation of treatment effectiveness and prediction of response. This can help physicians select the most effective treatment for patients with cancer.
A new study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine found that combining radionuclide therapy with immunotherapy can slow prostate cancer progression and increase survival time. The treatment promotes prostate cancer immunogenicity, making tumors more receptive to immunotherapy.
Scientists have developed Repeat DNA-Paint, a new technique that overcomes DNA-PAINT's drawbacks to improve super-resolution imaging. This allows for clearer molecular detail with light microscopy, enabling direct observation of biological functions in health and disease.
A new study expands the 64Cu-DOTATATE PET imaging time window to three hours post-injection, detecting similar numbers of lesions as a one-hour scan. The extended imaging time allows for more flexible routine imaging of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms.
A study of potential jurors found they are more favorable towards physicians who accept standard AI medical recommendations. The study suggests the threat of legal liability may be smaller than commonly thought, influencing physician behavior and AI adoption.
Researchers have developed a new theranostic approach using copper radionuclides that improves survival rates and reduces tumor volume in neuroendocrine tumors. The new method produces high-quality PET images and demonstrates improved efficacy when delivered as two fractionated doses.
A proof-of-concept study found that 68Ga-pentixafor PET imaging effectively diagnoses and manages rare CNS B-cell lymphoma by targeting the CXCR4 biomarker. The imaging modality showed excellent contrast characteristics between lymphoma lesions and surrounding healthy brain tissue.
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine has published a special supplement commemorating six decades of leadership in the field, featuring influential manuscripts that shaped the future of medicine. The supplement highlights landmark papers on PET, Anger camera, and fusion PET/CT, as well as the journal's past editors and associate editors.
This article discusses the integration of ultrasound imaging in medicine and biology, enabling advanced techniques such as molecular imaging and therapy. The use of ultrasound contrast agents and microbubble cavitation has opened up new opportunities for intracellular delivery and cancer treatment.
A single-center observational study found that PET/MRI improves lesion detectability in select cancers and significantly reduces overall radiation exposure compared to PET/CT. The study, published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, shows that PET/MRI can promote fast, efficient local and whole-body staging in one step.
The SNMMI Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship provides extensive training and experience for Japanese physicians in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. The program has graduated 30 fellows since its inception and supports the worldwide advancement of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique called single-molecule orientation localization microscopy (SMOLM) that allows them to distinguish between different phases of lipid molecules in cell membranes. This technique uses fluorescent probes to directly 'see' the probe's orientation and determine its chemical composition.
Researchers developed a simplified process to estimate radiation dose using a single post-treatment SPECT/CT scan, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes by tailoring treatments to individual patients' physiology. The method was applied to 177Lu-PSMA-617 therapy for metastatic prostate cancer.
A simple, low-cost device tests mask effectiveness in blocking droplet emissions during normal wear. The study found that N95 masks without valves and surgical/polypropylene masks perform well, while hand-made cotton face coverings provide good coverage, but bandanas and neck fleeces offer little protection.
A new alpha-radioimmunotherapy has proven effective in preventing tumor growth and increasing survival in multiple myeloma tumor-bearing mice. The therapy targets CD38 protein on tumoral cells and reduces unwanted radiation exposure on normal tissues.
Research at SNMMI 2020 Annual Meeting found super-agers have lower tau and amyloid pathology associated with neurodegeneration. This enables them to maintain their cognitive skills even at advanced ages. The study suggests a potential pathway for successful aging and developing novel treatments to tackle age-related diseases.
A novel bone imaging approach has established that bone metabolism is abnormally elevated in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This finding provides a new functional measure to assess degeneration of the knee joint, and may help develop interventions to slow or arrest its progression.
Peter S. Conti, MD, PhD, received the 2020 Benedict Cassen Prize for his pioneering work in radiopharmaceuticals and clinical PET applications for cancer imaging. The award recognizes his contributions to advancing nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
A new radiotracer measures synaptic density changes in the brain after stroke, providing an objective and quantitative measure of disease progression. This method may also help detect stroke early and evaluate recovery.
A new PET radiotracer has been proven safe and effective in imaging malignant brain tumors with high sensitivity. The radiotracer targets αvβ3 integrin, which is overexpressed in glioblastomas, allowing for superior visualization of tumors.
Researchers developed a novel radioiodinated PSMA-targeting radiopharmaceutical that can be produced in high yields without generating volatile byproducts. The agent shows exceptional effectiveness for precision diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in preclinical studies, targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA).
A multicenter trial found that PSMA PET/CT identified disease in over half of patients with negative conventional imaging, leading to changes in management in 66% of cases. The most common changes were conversion to surgery or radiation, or addition of nodal-directed therapy.
A new study using uEXPLORER technology successfully detected metastatic cancer in patients, providing high-quality images of tumor behavior. Parametric images showed improved visibility of cancer lesions detection and multi-parametric characterization of tumor metastases.
Researchers used a novel imaging agent to visualize inter-organ communication between the heart and kidneys via the immune system following acute myocardial infarction. The study found a systemic inflammatory response, suggesting a potential mechanism for disease progression and therapy response.
Stephen L. Bacharach, PhD, is recognized for his contributions to gated cardiac blood pool imaging, informatics, and data processing. His research has had a significant impact on nuclear medicine and cardiology.
A new molecular imaging approach using PET/MRI has been developed to precisely identify the location of pain generators in chronic pain patients. This approach resulted in a significant modification of management plans for nearly half of the patients, with some receiving invasive procedures.
Carolyn J. Anderson, PhD, has been recognized for her pioneering work in radiometal-based radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging and targeted radiotherapy of cancer and other diseases. Her research focuses on developing imaging agents for upregulated receptors on immune cells involved in inflammation related to lung diseases.
The uEXPLORER TB-PET/CT scanner offers a new imaging option for inflammatory arthritis by capturing glucose metabolism in normal and diseased joint tissues across the body. This allows for quantifying systemic inflammatory burden, which could have direct implications for disease staging, treatment selection, and monitoring of treatment...
Targeted radionuclide therapy has been shown to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies in treating prostate cancer by modifying the tumor microenvironment. The treatment can achieve immunomodulation at relatively low radiation doses without affecting the normal immune system.
Researchers developed a microscope to monitor wound healing without harming the subject. They studied mice with untreated wounds, placebo treatments, and different concentrations of treatment drugs to understand how topical drugs affect the skin.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine in nuclear cardiology, enabling continued service during outbreaks. Nuclear medicine also offers potential for repurposing pharmaceuticals and developing new treatments targeting different aspects of the virus.
Researchers used molecular imaging to track DNA damage in neuroendocrine tumors treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE. The technique enabled visualization of γH2AX foci just days after treatment, providing insights into therapeutic outcomes and potential dose adjustments.
Researchers have found that the new radiotracer 18F-PSMA-1007 offers advantages over established agent 68Ga-PSMA-11 in staging prostate cancer. The study showed near-equal performance between the two tracers, with 18F-PSMA-1007 detecting additional lesions in four patients.
Patients receiving 177Lu-DOTATATE radiation therapy may experience travel delays at U.S. ports of entry due to residual radiation activity; carrying a travel card with treatment information can help alleviate this issue.
The global nuclear medicine community has shared approaches to containing the spread of COVID-19, including triage, reduced elective studies, improved hygiene practices, and rotation of medical personnel. These measures aim to minimize patient contact and optimize distance to reduce the risk of transmission.
Researchers used total-body PET imaging to track the distribution of 89Zr-labeled antibodies in preclinical trials, achieving excellent image quality up to 30 days after injection. The study demonstrates the potential of this technique for extended imaging windows and low-dose radioactivity.
Researchers developed a fluorescence-based technique to monitor single molecules, accelerating structural biology and potentially aiding in structure-guided drug design. The technique uses FRET to visualize biomolecules with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution.