Topic Review
[18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET Imaging in Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders
In 1976, when [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) was introduced as a radiotracer for positron emission tomography (PET), it revolutionized medical imaging, especially in the fields of neurology, oncology, and cardiology. Later, it also gained importance in diagnosing infectious and inflammatory disorders. [18F]FDG, as an analog of glucose, accumulates in a cell with high rates of glycolysis (such as in cancer cells and inflammatory cells) by entering the cell via glucose transporters and is then phosphorylated by hexokinase to deoxyglucose phosphate, which remains locked in this state. The high uptake of [18F]FDG by the metabolically active inflammatory cells has played a major role in the detection of inflammatory reactions in response to microorganisms such as bacteria. Hence, [18F]FDG is commonly used for detecting infectious and inflammatory disorders.
  • 328
  • 06 Apr 2023
Topic Review
225Ac as a Potential Theranostic Radionuclide
α radioisotopes can offer a treatment choice to individuals who are not responding to β− or gamma-radiation therapy or chemotherapy drugs. Only a few α-particle emitters are suitable for targeted alpha therapy (TAT) and clinical applications. The majority of available clinical research involves 225Ac and its daughter nuclide 213Bi. Additionally, the 225Ac disintegration cascade generates γ decays that can be used in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, expanding the potential theranostic applications in nuclear medicine. Despite the growing interest in applying 225Ac, the restricted global accessibility of this radioisotope makes it difficult to conduct extensive clinical trials for many radiopharmaceutical candidates.
  • 405
  • 05 Dec 2023
Topic Review
225Ac-Labeled Somatostatin Analogs in Neuroendocrine Tumors Management
The widespread use of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) represents a major therapeutic breakthrough in nuclear medicine, particularly since the introduction of 177Lu-radiolabeled somatostatin analogs. These radiopharmaceuticals have especially improved progression-free survival and quality of life in patients with inoperable metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors expressing somatostatin receptors. In the case of aggressive or resistant disease, the use of somatostatin derivatives radiolabeled with an alpha-emitter could provide a promising alternative. Among the currently available alpha-emitting radioelements, actinium-225 has emerged as the most suitable candidate, especially regarding its physical and radiochemical properties.
  • 697
  • 30 Mar 2023
Topic Review
2-[18F]FDG PET/CT
PET (positron emission tomography) is a noninvasive functional imaging technique based on the detection of photons resulting from the annihilation of positrons emitted by a radioactive substance known as radiotracer or radiopharmaceutical. PET equipments usually incorporate a computed tomography scanner (PET/CT) in order to obtain hybrid functional-anatomical images. Different radiotracers are used to study different physiologic processes, such as blood flow, bone turnover or expression of certain cell receptors. The most common radiotracer used in clinical practice is 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose (2-[18F]FDG), a glucose analogue binded to a radioactive isotope of fluor that informs about glucose metabolism in the body. As cancer cells have high energy requirements (and, therefore, high glucose consumption), this radiotracer is mostly used to evaluate oncologic processes (disease extension, response to treatment, etc.). However, some types of cancer have low 2-[18F]FDG uptake (e.g., well-differentiated or slow-growing neoplasms), and others can have a variable uptake due to the action of certain enzymes in the metabolic route of glucose (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma).  
  • 458
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
3D Printed Models in Cardiovascular Disease
Three-dimensional (3D) printed models are increasingly used in medical education, with promising results achieved when compared to traditional teaching methods. Studies have shown its educational value in two areas as assessed by medical students and clinicians (cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac imaging specialists including radiologists and radiographers, residents or registrars, and clinical nurses).
  • 357
  • 30 Sep 2022
Topic Review
AAZTA-Derived Chelators as Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals
The chelating agent AAZTA features a mesocyclic seven-membered diazepane ring, conferring some of the properties of both acyclic and macrocyclic chelating agents. Described in the early 2000s, AAZTA and its derivatives exhibited interesting properties once complexed with metals and radiometals, combining a fast kinetic of formation with a slow kinetic of dissociation. Importantly, the extremely short coordination reaction times allowed by AAZTA derivatives were particularly suitable for short half-life radioelements (i.e., 68Ga).
  • 730
  • 28 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Abnormal Microenvironment Responsive MRI Nanoprobe
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to diagnose diseases due to its high spatial, temporal and soft tissue resolution. Environment-responsive or smart MRI nanoprobes can specifically target cells based on differences in the cellular environment and improve the contrast between diseased tissues and normal tissues.
  • 536
  • 21 May 2021
Topic Review
Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) refers to a group of diseases in which blood flow to the heart is decreased. It is a manifestation of CHD (coronary heart disease) which usually results in plaque disruption in the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis) and the formation of thrombus. In some cases, ACS may be due to vasospasm with or without underlying atherosclerosis, but in both cases it determines a reduction in blood flow to a part of the heart, resulting first in ischemia and then infarction.
  • 369
  • 29 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Advantages and Applications of Total-Body PET Scanning
Total-body positron emission tomography (PET)  scanning can not only image faster than traditional techniques with less administered radioactivity but also perform total-body dynamic acquisition at a longer delayed time point based on its ultrahigh detection sensitivity, enhanced temporal resolution, and long scan range (194 cm). These unique characteristics create several opportunities to improve image quality and can provide a deeper understanding regarding disease detection, diagnosis, staging/restaging, response to treatment, and prognostication. 
  • 812
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Amyloid-Targeting Positron Emission Tomography Imaging
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is characterized by extracellular infiltration and deposition of amyloid fibrils primarily derived from the circulating transthyretin protein (TTR) or immunoglobulin light chain (AL). Bone-seeking single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) quantification and amyloid-targeting positron emission tomography (PET) imaging could be useful as a new strategy for disease burden and therapy monitoring to provide more insights into therapy response assessed by quantifying the amyloid burden in CA.
  • 281
  • 13 Oct 2022
  • Page
  • of
  • 20