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SNMMI News

• Grants, Awards, Scholarships Now Open for Application

  Oct 18, 2019 — SNMMI is pleased to announce the following grants, awards, and scholarships are now open for applications — exclusively for SNMMI and SNMMI-TS members.

• Central Chapter Provides Outreach Education

  Oct 15, 2019 — On September 25-26, SNMMI’s Outreach Domain supported the Central Chapter in an initiative to share the value of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging with prostate cancer patients as well as with urologists and oncologists.

• CTN Webinars – Free to SNMMI Members!

  Oct 10, 2019 — SNMMI’s Clinical Trials Network’s webinar series, “The Review of Radiopharmaceuticals,” is developed specifically for technologists. Free to SNMMI members, each 1-hour webinar provides an updates on radiopharmaceuticals used for a specific indication, in the clinical setting and in research.

• Members: Thank You for Your Efforts to Protect Cardiac PET

  Oct 2, 2019 — Thank you to all the SNMMI members who sent messages to Congress and comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about its proposal to reduce reimbursement by up to 80 percent for myocardial PET in the office setting.

• This Month in JNM

  Oct 1, 2019 — In October JNM: A conversation between Elisabeth de Vries and Johannes Czernin … featured articles: Image-based bone marrow dosimetry; FAP ligands with improved tumor retention; Optoacoustic thyroid imaging … State of the Art PET/MRI … Hot Topic—AI in molecular imaging/nuclear medicine … Continuing Education—Multimodality Imaging of Prostate Cancer … and more.

• PET Offers More Precise Screening Method to Select Candidates for Radionuclide Therapy

  Sep 24, 2019 — PET scanning can offer more precise selection of patients for neuroendocrine tumor therapy, allowing some patients to qualify who would otherwise have been ineligible, according to an article featured in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• Joint Society Call to Action: Congressional Sign On Letter to CMS Addresses Proposed PET Cuts, Patient Impacts

  Sep 23, 2019 — As we continue our many efforts to address the cuts proposed in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, we need your help! Most recently, the ACC, ASNC, CAA, SNMMI and ACNM have secured a Congressional sign-on letter to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by Reps. Mike Kelly, (R-PA), Ron Estes (R-KS), and Ron Kind, (D-WI). As members, we urge you to write, call, or email your representatives and senators and ask them to sign the letter and voice concerns with CMS directly.

• Nuclear Medicine Technologist Licensure Legislation Introduced in Pennsylvania

  Sep 19, 2019 — On September 6, 2019 House Bill 1811 was introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

• SNMMI Call to Action: Submit Your Comments on Medicare Proposed Rules

  Sep 18, 2019 — The society—along with the American College of Nuclear Medicine—have already submitted comments alerting CMS to the impact of these proposals. We need your help in submitting comments as well. CMS needs to hear how these proposals impact your profession and patient care.

• This Month in JNMT

  Sep 17, 2019 — The September issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology is now available, including 4 CE articles, 7 scientific articles, 2 brief communications, and a Practical Pointer. Check it out.

• Fault at ANSTO Temporarily Stops Production of Mo-99

  Sep 13, 2019 — On September 12, ANSTO communicated that it stopped production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) due to detection of a fault in a valve.

• SNMMI Comments on 2020 Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

  Sep 9, 2019 — SNMMI and the American College of Nuclear Medicine recently responded to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' 2020 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule.

• SNMMI Sends CMS Comments on Proposed 2020 Hospital Outpatient Payment Regulation

  Sep 9, 2019 — SNMMI has submitted a comment letter to CMS on the proposed rule for the 2020 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System, recommending improvements in the way that CMS pays hospital outpatient departments for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging procedures.

• Celebrating Women in Medicine Month

  Sep 5, 2019 — September 5 is Women in Medicine Day and SNMMI is excited to join the American Medical Association (AMA) in celebrating Women in Medicine Month throughout September! We will be honoring this year’s theme, “Women in Medicine: Trailblazers, Advocates, Leaders,” all month long, recognizing the achievements, contributions, and trailblazing efforts of women in our nuclear medicine and molecular imaging community.

• This Month in JNM

  Sep 3, 2019 — In September JNM: A conversation between Joanna Fowler and Johannes Czernin … featured articles: [111]In-pentetreotide vs. [68]Ga-DOTATATE; MSLN-TTC and DDR inhibitors … State of the Art—Solid-state detector SPECT MPI … Hot Topic—Training requirements for theranostics … Continuing Education—Vascular calcification … and more.

• Fall Education Preview

  Aug 28, 2019 — We know you're busy. That's why you need on-demand access to industry news, research, and education available at your fingertips. SNMMI offers a wide variety of programs that provide relevant and timely educational content for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging professionals at every stage in their career. See the SNMMI Education Fall Preview below and register now for the professional development events best suited to your needs.

• A Patient Perspective: Diagnosis and Survival of Cancer

  Aug 26, 2019 — SNMMI TV had the privilege of interviewing Dorothy McGrath, survivor of Stage IV colon cancer and a member of the SNMMI Patient Advocacy Advisory Board.

• Spotlight on SNMMI Outreach (Because Not All Heroes Wear Capes)

  Aug 19, 2019 — Because nuclear medicine’s work is largely done behind the scenes — resembling mild-mannered Clark Kent more than flashy Superman — it often suffers from a lack of understanding and appreciation among lawmakers, patients, the general public, and even the wider medical community. SNMMI’s Outreach Domain, through the efforts of the Outreach Committee and its working groups, is helping to change that.

• SNMMI Outreach: Roadshow Recap

  Aug 8, 2019 — SNMMI’s Outreach Domain held a Dinner Symposium on “Incorporating New Approaches for Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumors,” July 30 in Houston, Texas, as part of our SNMMI Outreach Roadshow series.

• SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy Applications Due September 15

  Aug 7, 2019 — Application deadlines are approaching for the SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy — a unique opportunity to increase leadership skills and opportunities through a 2-day course, fully funded by the Technologist Section.

• Future Leaders Academy Applications Due September 15

  Aug 6, 2019 — Develop the skills you need to become a leader both in the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging community and in the SNMMI. The 2020 Future Leaders Academy will teach fundamental leadership techniques from professionally recognized leadership groups and current SNMMI leaders.

• This Month in JNM

  Aug 1, 2019 — In August JNM: A conversation between Hedvig Hricak and Johannes Czernin … featured articles: 11b-HSD1–targeted brain imaging; MC1R-targeted alpha-particle therapy; M1 mAChR PET imaging in NHPs … State of the Art—development of dedicated brain PET imaging devices … Hot Topic—artificial intelligence in nuclear cardiology … Special Contribution—standardized metabolic tumor volume measurement … and more.

• Theranostics: Regulatory Considerations for Product Development

  Jul 29, 2019 — In this highly attended session at the SNMMI 2019 Annual Meeting, speakers examined clinical, nonclinical and CMC information needed for theranostics product development.

• WATCH: SNMMI Members Talk Nuclear Medicine at Congressional Policy Briefing on Capitol Hill

  Jul 24, 2019 — On July 17, SNMMI, with MITA and CORAR, co-hosted a congressional policy briefing to discuss precision medicine and the importance of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals.

• Bipartisan Group Moves to Expand Access to Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals

  Jul 17, 2019 — On July 16, a bipartisan group introduced the Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019 (HR 3772). The bill would expand patient access to highly targeted, precision diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals that evaluate conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and some cancers—allowing patients to get the right treatment faster and saving taxpayers money.

• This Month in JNM

  Jul 1, 2019 — In July JNM: A discussion between Susanne Schaffert and Ken Herrmann … featured articles: immuno-PET imaging of solid tumors; a first-in-human phase I study of CTT1057 in prostate cancer … State of the Art—theranostics in neuroendocrine neoplasms … Hot Topic—imaging of CAR T-cells in cancer patients … Special Contribution—procedure standard for somatostatin receptor-based PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE … Continuing Education—advanced imaging in cardiac sarcoidosis … and more.

• Influence of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Jumps 25 Percent

  Jun 27, 2019 — The Journal of Nuclear Medicine again ranks among the top five medical imaging journals in the world. JNM continues to lead among nuclear medicine journals, with the highest impact factor (7.354), the highest immediacy index, the highest number of citations, the highest 5-year impact factor, the highest number of citable articles, and the highest influence score.

• Molecular Imaging Suggests Smokers May Have Impaired Neuroimmune Function

  Jun 25, 2019 — Research presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNM MI) shows preliminary evidence that tobacco smokers may have reduced neuroimmune function compared with nonsmokers.

• Ultrasmall Nanoclusters and Carbon Quantum Dots Show Promise for Treating Acute Kidney Injury

  Jun 25, 2019 — Two research studies offer hope for effective treatment and prevention on acute kidney injury.

• New Combination Therapy Established as Safe and Effective for Prostate Cancer

  Jun 25, 2019 — A novel therapy using two targeted treatments for prostate cancer has been shown to maximize efficacy while reducing side effects.

• SNMMI Image of the Year: Novel Radiotracer Detects 28 Cancer Types, Paving the Way for Development of New Therapies

  Jun 25, 2019 — Each year, the SNMMI chooses an image that best exemplifies the most promising advances in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. This year the honor goes to a team of researchers at University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany. Showcasing the efficacy of the FAPI radiotracer, the image demonstrates the uptake of the FAPI in 12 epidemiological tumor entities, including high uptake values in lung, breast, prostate, esophageal and pancreatic cancer.

• Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Announces 2019 Fellows

  Jun 25, 2019 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging recognized 13 new SNMMI Fellows on Monday, June 24, during the Monday plenary session at the society’s 2019 Annual Meeting, held June 22-25 in Anaheim, California.

• Radionuclide Therapy Effective in High-Grade Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

  Jun 25, 2019 — Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has been shown to be safe and effective for patients with grade 3 (G3) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), according to research presented at SNMMI's 2019 Annual Meeting.

• SNMMI Elects Richard L. Wahl, MD, as Vice President-Elect During 2019 Annual Meeting

  Jun 24, 2019 — Richard L. Wahl, MD, has been elected as 2019-20 vice president-elect of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). Wahl is the Elizabeth E. Mallinckrodt Professor and head of radiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, director of the university’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and a professor of radiation oncology.

• SNMMI Announces Mark H. Crosthwaite, MEd, CNMT, PET, NMTCB(S), FSNMMI-TS, as President of Technologist Section During 2019 Annual Meeting

  Jun 24, 2019 — Mark H. Crosthwaite, MEd, CNMT, PET, NMTCB(S), FSNMMI-TS, associate professor and program director of the baccalaureate nuclear medicine technology program, Department of Radiation Sciences, at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, has been named 2019-2020 president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS).

• SNMMI Elects Vasken Dilsizian, MD, as President During 2019 Annual Meeting

  Jun 24, 2019 — Vasken Dilsizian, MD, professor of radiology and medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and chief of the Division of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, has assumed office as 2019-20 president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

• SNMMI Elects Alan B. Packard, PhD, as President-Elect During 2019 Annual Meeting

  Jun 24, 2019 — Alan Packard, PhD, has been elected as 2019-20 president-elect of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). Packard is associate professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, director of radiopharmaceutical research and a senior research associate in nuclear medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, and research associate in nuclear medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

• Wearable Technology to Personalize Lu-177-DOTATATE Therapy for NETs

  Jun 24, 2019 — Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, are developing a user-friendly (worn at home) vest with technology that collects data to tailor personalized therapy for patients with metastatic, somatostatin-receptor-2 positive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

• Nuclear Medicine PSMA-Targeted Study Offers New Options for Cancer Theranostics Worldwide

  Jun 24, 2019 — Research presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) describes a new class of radiopharmaceuticals—radiohybrids—that offer a fresh perspective on cancer imaging and radioligand therapy (theranostics). In addition, the technology encompasses a highly innovative and efficient isotopic labeling method to facilitate broad application.

• SNMMI Announces Tina M. Buehner, MS, CNMT, NMTCB(CT)(RS), RT(N)(CT), FSNMMI-TS, as President-Elect of Technologist Section During 2019 Annual Meeting

  Jun 24, 2019 — Tina M. Buehner, MS, CNMT, NMTCB(CT)(RS), RT(N)(CT), FSNMMI-TS, has been named 2019-2020 president-elect of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS). Buehner is a health physicist specialist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.

• Earlier Diagnosis and Treatment Assessment of Tuberculosis Achieved with PET/CT

  Jun 24, 2019 — Research presented at SNMMI's 2019 Annual Meeting shows that molecular imaging with 18F-FDG PET/CT can evaluate tuberculosis at the molecular level, effectively identifying diseased areas and guiding treatment for patients.

• Marcelo F. Di Carli, MD, Receives the SNMMI 2019 Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award

  Jun 23, 2019 — Marcelo F. Di Carli, MD, was presented the Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award for his contributions to nuclear medicine at the SNMMI 2019 Annual Meeting, in Anaheim, California.

• Jason S. Lewis, PhD, Receives SNMMI 2019 Paul C. Aebersold Award for Outstanding Achievement in Basic Nuclear Medicine Science

  Jun 23, 2019 — Jason S. Lewis, PhD, was presented the prestigious Paul C. Aebersold Award during the SNMMI 2019 Annual Meeting, June 22-25 in Anaheim, California.

• Interim Scan during Prostate Cancer Therapy Helps Guide Treatment

  Jun 23, 2019 — New prostate cancer research shows that adding an interim scan during therapy can help guide a patient’s treatment. The research was presented at the SNMMI 2019 Annual Meeting.

• PET/CT Detects Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

  Jun 23, 2019 — Research presented at SNMMI’s 2019 Annual Meeting draws a strong link between severe obstructive sleep apnea and impaired coronary flow reserve, which is an early sign of the heart disease atherosclerosis.

• Novel Noninvasive Molecular Imaging for Monitoring Rheumatoid Arthritis

  Jun 23, 2019 — A first-in-human Phase 1/Phase II study demonstrates that intravenous administration of the radiopharmaceutical imaging agent technetium-99m (99mTc) tilmanocept promises to be a safe, well-tolerated, noninvasive means of monitoring rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. The study was presented at the SNMMI 2019 Annual Meeting.

• Early Biomarker Found for Degenerative Neurologic Disease

  Jun 22, 2019 — Researchers have discovered a novel radioligand that can effectively differentiate progressive supranuclear palsy from similar brain disorders, allowing for earlier and more reliable diagnosis of the disease.

• Immuno-PET Precisely Diagnoses IBD Inflammation without Invasive Procedures

  Jun 17, 2019 — Inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease can be quickly and precisely diagnosed using a new type of nuclear medicine scan. In addition, immuno-PET has high potential for theranostic diagnosis and precision treatment of IBD and other inflammatory diseases. The research is featured in the June issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• New Radiotracer Can Identify Nearly 30 Types of Cancer

  Jun 7, 2019 — A novel class of radiopharmaceuticals has proven effective in non-invasively identifying nearly 30 types of malignant tumors. Using 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT, researchers were able to image the tumors with very high uptake and image contrast, paving the way for new applications in tumor characterization, staging and therapy. The research is featured in the June issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• USP Publishes General Chapter <825> Effective December 1, 2019

  Jun 5, 2019 — On June 1, the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) published General Chapter <825> Radiopharmaceuticals – Preparation, Compounding, Dispensing, and Repackaging. This General Chapter provides uniform minimum standards for the preparation, compounding, dispensing, and repackaging of sterile and non-sterile radiopharmaceuticals for humans and animals that occur as part of state-licensed activities.

• This Month in JNM

  Jun 3, 2019 — In June JNM: A discussion with Nora Volkow … featured articles: 68Ga-FAPI uptake in 28 different kinds of cancer; innate immuno-PET in colitis … State of the Art—overview of advances in management of gastroenteropancreatic NETs … Hot Topic: connections between neuroinflammation/long-term brain function and ischemic injury to the heart … special contribution: pathways for successful translation of new imaging agents and modalities—phase III studies … and more.

• Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosis Improved by Deep Learning Analysis of SPECT MPI

  May 27, 2019 — A multicenter international study has demonstrated that diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease can be improved through deep learning analysis of SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging. The research is featured in the May issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• This Month in JNM

  May 1, 2019 — The May 2019 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available, including Discussions with Leaders—A conversation between Marcus Schwaiger and Johannes Czernin … State of the Art—Novel structured reporting systems for theranostic radiotracers … Featured articles: Deep learning analysis of MPI D-SPECT; 89Zr-BVDFO PET for glioblastoma multiforme treatment … Special contribution: Use of a qualification phantom for PET brain imaging in a multicenter consortium … and more.

• SNMMI Member Hosts Policymakers at Georgetown Hospital

  Apr 30, 2019 — On Thursday April 25th, distinguished SNMMI member Giuseppe Esposito, MD, alongside staff from SNMMI, and MITA hosted congressional staffers at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, DC.

• Nuclear Medicine Therapy Shows Long-Term Effectiveness for Malignant Neuroendocrine Tumors

  Apr 26, 2019 — A 12-year retrospective clinical study of patients who received peptide receptor radionuclide therapy for malignant neuroendocrine tumors demonstrates the long-term effectiveness of this treatment, which also allows patients to maintain a high quality of life. The study is featured in the April issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• SNMMI and ACR Collaborate on Clinical Data Registry for Nuclear Medicine

  Apr 8, 2019 — SNMMI and the American College of Radiology announce a new collaborative clinical data registry to support high-quality practice and patient care. The registry will allow collection and analysis of data on nuclear medicine procedures, supporting continuous improvement of patient care.

• SNMMI/ASNC Alert: Important Drug Safety Information for Rubidium 82 Generators

  Apr 4, 2019 — Recently, there has been a report of high-level radiation exposure with use of incorrect eluent in Rubidium 82 Rb82 generators after a failure to follow the eluate testing protocol. ASNC and SNMMI members are reminded to use only additive-free, 0.9 % Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (normal saline) to elute the Rubidium 82 Rb82 generator.

• New PET Imaging Biomarker Could Better Predict Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease

  Apr 4, 2019 — Researchers have discovered a way to better predict progression of Alzheimer’s disease. A study utilizing positron emission tomography to image microglial activation levels showed that these levels could predict current and future cognitive performance better than beta-amyloid levels. The research is published in the April issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• This Month in JNM

  Apr 1, 2019 — The April 2019 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available, including a discussion with Michael Phelps, a State of the Art column on precision cardio-oncology, a special contribution on tumor glucose metabolism, results of an international survey on clinical reporting of PET/CT examinations, and featured articles on a new PET biomarker for predicting progression of Alzheimer’s, a 12-year retrospective follow-up on PRRT for NETs, and substrate anti-cancer drug delivery

• First Total-Body PET/CT Studies Show Potential for Better, Faster, Lower-Dose Images

  Mar 29, 2019 — The first human case studies from the first total-body PET/CT scanner show enhanced image quality, reduced scan time, a longer time window to perform the scan, reduced dose and total-body dynamic imaging, among other benefits and possibilities. The research is published in the March issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• SNMMI Members Host Congressman Loebsack at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

  Mar 18, 2019 — Congressman Loebsack and staff visited the PET and nuclear medicine facilities at the University of Iowa.

• Ones to Watch – Early Career Professionals Making a Difference in 2019

  Mar 18, 2019 — We are proud to present this selection of 30 rising stars in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. With help from the Committee on Councils and Centers and the SNMMI-TS Professional Development Task Force, SNMMI has identified these young professionals as “Ones to Watch” in 2019. The future looks bright!

• New Tracers Improve Diagnosis of Cancer and May Be Useful for Treatment

  Mar 11, 2019 — Researchers have identified two new nuclear medicine tracers that make it easier to diagnose and potentially treat multiple types of cancer, providing high-quality images with less patient preparation and shorter acquisition times.

• Nuclear Medicine Imaging Monitors Effectiveness of Therapy for Melanoma Patients

  Mar 5, 2019 — Nuclear medicine imaging with PET/CT can monitor the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatment for metastatic melanoma and predict outcome. In this way, a patient’s therapy can be more effectively tailored to his or her personal response.

• FDA Updates Bulk Drug Substances List with Amino Acid Solutions

  Mar 4, 2019 — On March 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced updates to the categories of bulk drug substances under its interim policy under section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. SNMMI commends the FDA for their swift action to update the 503B Bulk Drugs list, which will ultimately make it easier for manufacturers to compound and make available an arginine/lysine only solution.

• This Month in JNM

  Mar 1, 2019 — The March 2019 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Discussions with Leaders: A Conversation between Simon Cherry and Johannes Czernin. State of the Art: First Human Imaging Studies with the EXPLORER Total-Body PET Scanner. Featured: ipilimumab response using imPERCIST5; 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT; PET and EGFR-targeted therapy ... and more.

• SNMMI TV Returns to the 2019 Annual Meeting

  Feb 28, 2019 — SNMMI TV programs will air on each day of the SNMMI Annual Meeting, featuring interviews with key leaders and researchers, session coverage, and in-depth reports on featured institutions.

• Novel PET/CT Imaging Agent Shows Promise for Safe and Effective Diagnosis of Acute Venous Thromboembolism

  Feb 15, 2019 — Researchers report that a new nuclear medicine tracer may allow better diagnosis of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). Acute VTE is a disease that includes deep-vein thrombosis and its complication, pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. The research is featured in the February issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• PET Imaging Agent May Allow Early Measurement of Efficacy of Breast Cancer Therapy

  Feb 11, 2019 — Physicians may soon have a new way to measure the efficacy of hormone therapy for breast cancer patients, according to research published in the February issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• This Month in JNM

  Feb 1, 2019 — The February 2019 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Discussions with Leaders: A Conversation between Steven Larson and Johannes Czernin. Hot Topic: Entering the Era of Molecularly Targeted Precision Surgery in Recurrent Prostate Cancer. Featured: 18F-GP1 PET for thromboembolism; 18F-FFNP uptake with estradiol challenge in breast cancer ... and more.

• Combined SPECT and Cardiac MR Imaging Can Help Guide Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation

  Jan 30, 2019 — Adding functional imaging to structural imaging of patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) has the potential to improve current VT ablation strategies, according to new research published in the January 2019 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• SNMMI-ACNM Submit Comments to NRC on Training and Experience Requirements

  Jan 30, 2019 — SNMMI together with representatives from ACNM provided feedback to the NRC on the training and experience requirements for those who wish to be authorized users of unsealed byproduct material.

• SNMMI and SNMMI-TS Announce 2019 Leadership Academy Graduates

  Jan 22, 2019 — During SNMMI’s Mid-Winter Meeting in Palm Springs,California, both SNMMI and SNMMI-TS held leadership academies. These academies are building a cadre of physicians, scientists and technologists with strong leadership abilities who are taking on active roles in the society at the chapter and national levels, as well as within the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging community. Congratulations to all the new graduates!

• New PET Probe Could Improve Detection of Primary and Metastatic Melanoma

  Jan 16, 2019 — A new nuclear medicine method for detecting malignant melanoma, one of the most aggressive skin cancers, has been successfully tested for the first time in humans and could improve detection of both primary and metastatic melanoma. The research is featured in the January 2019 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• This Month in JNM

  Jan 2, 2019 — The January 2019 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about VT substrate characteristics,18F-flortanidazole PET in treated NSCLC, 18F-P3BZA PET/CT in melanoma, and more. Also, check out the second in the "Discussions with Leaders" series: a conversation with Richard Wahl.

• Whole Body PET/MRI Provides One-Stop-Shop for Staging of High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients

  Dec 11, 2018 — New research shows that molecular imaging—specifically, PSMA PET/MR—performs as well as currently used tools and provides additional information on tumor location that could help guide treatment for prostate cancer patients.

• SNMMI Submits Comments to USP on General Chapter <825>

  Dec 6, 2018 — SNMMI submitted comments on USP General Chapter <825> on Friday, November 30th.

• New PET Tracer Identified for Imaging Tau in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

  Dec 5, 2018 — Researchers have identified a promising second-generation positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for imaging and measuring tau pathology, contributing to understanding of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

• This Month in JNM

  Dec 3, 2018 — The December 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about three novel tau radiopharmaceuticals for imaging patients with amyloid-positive Alzheimer disease, whole-body 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR, immuno-PET after BACE-1 inhibition, and more. Also, check out the first in a new series of articles: "Discussions with Leaders."

• Mo-99 Supply Issues Close to Resolution

  Nov 27, 2018 — The supply of Mo-99 has now improved, and the acute shortage has abated. Read the full story for details.

• SNMMI Addresses Mo-99 Isotope Shortage

  Nov 19, 2018 — SNMMI, along with several other organizations, signed a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy and the Office of Management and Budget in regards to Mo-99 shortages.

• SNMMI Leads Stakeholder Discussions at Theranostics Consensus Conference 2018

  Nov 13, 2018 — SNMMI and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) held the Theranostics Consensus Conference 2018 on November 8-9, sponsored by Progenics Pharmaceuticals.

• SNMMI Welcomes Cardinal Health to Value Initiative Leadership

  Nov 12, 2018 — SNMMI is pleased to announce that Cardinal Health has joined the SNMMI’s Value Initiative Industry Alliance.

• Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy More Precisely Targeted with Nuclear Medicine Imaging

  Nov 8, 2018 — A nuclear medicine imaging procedure can pinpoint prostate cancer with superior accuracy, allowing more precisely targeted treatment, according to new research featured in the November 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• SNMMI Advocacy Post-Election

  Nov 7, 2018 — A brief summary of yesterday's election results, including milestones achieved, new faces, and how you can get involved.

• ALERT: Significant Shortages of Mo-99 Expected in November

  Nov 6, 2018 — A significant shortage of Mo-99 is expected for the first half of November. Users should contact their generator/nuclear pharmacy providers for advice about their local situation.

• NRC Seeks Public Input on Training and Experience Requirements

  Nov 6, 2018 — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will be holding public meetings to obtain input on training and experience requirements.

• Novel Tracer Developed for Precision Targeting of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

  Nov 5, 2018 — New research shows PET imaging with the 18F-FAC radiotracer can be used as a non-invasive substitute for liver biopsies. The study is featured in the October issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• CMS Issues Final 2019 Payment Rules

  Nov 2, 2018 — CMS has released the Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System final rules.

• This Month in JNM

  Nov 1, 2018 — The November 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about c-Met-targeted imaging of non-small cell lung cancer, Ga-68-PSMA-11 PET/CT for radiation treatment planning, the current state of radiopharmaceutical therapy, and more.

• Brookhaven Celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Tc-99m

  Oct 30, 2018 — Technetium-99m is responsible for 80 percent of the nuclear medical imaging procedures performed in the world. This year marks its 60th anniversary, and Brookhaven National Laboratories is celebrating.

• SNMMI Needs Your Help – RUC Survey

  Oct 25, 2018 — The American Medical Association (AMA) has an expert panel called the Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC), which advocates for accurate valuation of all physician services. If you receive a request from SNMMI to participate in an AMA RUC survey, it is imperative that you participate so your voice can be heard.

• Deadlines Coming Soon for Grants, Awards, Scholarships, Fellowships

  Oct 23, 2018 — Deadlines are coming up this week and next for important awards, grants, scholarships and fellowships—apply or nominate ASAP.

• SNMMI Expresses Support of H.R. 6948: The Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2018

  Oct 4, 2018 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging commend Congressmen George Holding (NC-2) and Seth Moulton (MA-6) for introducing H.R. 6948.

• New Study Evaluates Efficacy of PET Imaging to Manage Chronic Liver Diseases

  Oct 4, 2018 — New research shows PET imaging with the 18F-FAC radiotracer can be used as a non-invasive substitute for liver biopsies. The study is featured in the October issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• New Nuclear Medicine Tracer Will Help Study the Aging Brain

  Oct 3, 2018 — A new PET imaging radiotracer could help researchers understand neurodegenerative disease and the aging brain.

• Technologists: Next JNMT Twitter Club on November 15

  Oct 2, 2018 — The next JNMT Twitter Club (@JNMTClub) will occur Thursday, November 15. One CE hour can be earned via the short post-exam. Find out more!

• This Month in JNM

  Oct 1, 2018 — The October 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about PET imaging for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, imaging liver lymphocytes and more!

• Register today! USP to Host Open Mic Session on <825> Radiopharmaceuticals

  Sep 26, 2018 — USP is hosting an open microphone session Wednesday, October 10th, 2018 to discuss the Proposed General Chapter <825> on radiopharmaceuticals. Registration is currently open and there is no cost to participate.

• SNMMI Comments on 2019 Proposed Hospital Outpatient Rule

  Sep 25, 2018 — SNMMI raises concerns about radiopharmaceuticals being removed from pass-through status for 2019 and other matters.

• BlueCross BlueShield TN Expands Coverage for Cardiac PET

  Sep 24, 2018 — BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has expanded Medicare coverage for Cardiac PET.

• SNMMI 2018-2020 Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship Recipients Announced

  Sep 20, 2018 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018-2020 SNMMI Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship.

• View the 2018 Cassen Lecture—Dr. Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, MD, PhD

  Sep 18, 2018 — Dr. Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, MD, PhD, delivered the prestigious Cassen Lecture at this year’s SNMMI Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

• Availability of Mo-99

  Sep 11, 2018 — Nuclear reactors in both South Africa and Australia are off-line for unscheduled reasons. Efforts are being made to reduce the impact on patients.

• SNMMI Supports Proposed Medicare 2019 Payment Rule for Physicians

  Sep 10, 2018 — SNMMI backed CMS's plan not to reduce payments for two nuclear medicine procedures.

• SNMMI Supports Proposed Coverage Expansion for Cardiac PET

  Sep 10, 2018 — SNMMI backed a proposal to expand coverage of Cardiac PET in Tennessee and suggested that the expansion go further.

• This Month in JNMT

  Sep 10, 2018 — The September issue of JNMT is now available!

• Researchers Identify Pitfall in Popular Prostate Cancer PET Imaging Method

  Sep 7, 2018 — Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has become a popular method for determining the stage of a patient’s prostate cancer. However, researchers have identified a major pitfall in this imaging technique and are cautioning medical professionals to be aware of the potential for misdiagnosis.

• New Nuclear Medicine Imaging Method Shows Strong Potential for Cancer Imaging

  Sep 5, 2018 — A new nuclear medicine imaging method could help diagnose widespread tumors, such as breast, colon, pancreas, lung and head and neck cancer better than current methods, with less inconvenience to patients and with equal or improved accuracy.

• This Month in JNM

  Sep 4, 2018 — The September 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about PSMA ligand uptake in ganglia, imaging of activated fibroblasts and more!

• SNMMI Connect Now Available

  Aug 30, 2018 — SNMMI Connect is now available for members to serve as a private, digital community.

• 2019 SNMMI Mid-Winter/ACNM Annual Meeting Call for Abstracts Now Open

  Aug 30, 2018 — The call for abstracts for the 2019 SNMMI Mid-Winter/ACNM Annual Meeting opens August 30.

• Upcoming Webinar on Helpful Tips for JNMT Reviewers

  Aug 29, 2018 — SNMMI is hosting a technologist webinar on the topic of tips and guidelines for reviewers of JNMT

• Check Out SNMMI's YouTube Channel

  Aug 23, 2018 — SNMMI's YouTube channel offers a range of videos from research explainers to in-depth interviews with researchers

• Molecular Imaging Journal: SNMMI Members Receive 50% Discount on APC

  Aug 21, 2018 — The article processing charge (APC) for articles accepted for publication in Molecular Imaging (MIX) is discounted 50% for SNMMI members.

• Aetna Expands Coverage for Gallium-68 DOTATATE

  Aug 16, 2018 — Aetna has changed its policy to expand coverage for Gallium-68 DOTATATE.

• Fall Grant, Award and Scholarship Applications Opening Soon

  Aug 16, 2018 — The Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging is committed to advancing molecular imaging and therapy by supporting the next generation of researchers.

• SNMMI Radiation Dose Tool Updated to Include RADAR Dosimetry Table

  Aug 15, 2018 — The Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Dose Optimization Task Force has updated the SNMMI Radiation Dose Tool to include a second dosimetry table option.

• SNMMI Seeks Comments on BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee's Proposed Changes to PET Coverage

  Aug 15, 2018 — A new BlueCross Blueshield draft coverage policy was released that includes changes to PET oncologic applications.

• SNMMI Encourages FDA to Alleviate Shortage of Gallium-68

  Aug 13, 2018 — SNMMI outlines the shortage of Gallium-68, its causes and suggests ways the FDA could help.

• SNMMI Honors Outstanding Contributors at 2018 Annual Meeting

  Aug 13, 2018 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), an international scientific and medical organization, recognized contributions to the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging during its 2018 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. Several awards ceremonies were held to recognize the valuable role SNMMI members play in advancing the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, cancer and neurological conditions.

• USP Opens Call for Volunteers to Serve on Expert Committees

  Aug 6, 2018 — The United States Pharmacopeia is in need of qualified volunteers in the areas of chemical medicines, compounding, and other radiopharmaceutical-related fields.

• PET Tracer Identifies Estrogen Receptor Expression Differences in Breast Cancer Patients

  Aug 6, 2018 — In metastatic breast cancer, prognosis and treatment is largely influenced by estrogen receptor (ER) expression of the metastases. However, little is known about ER expression across metastases throughout the body and surrounding normal tissue. Using a PET tracer, researchers in the Netherlands have been able to identify differences in ER expression, which could help guide treatment for metastatic breast cancer patients. The study is featured in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine’s August issue.

• Novel PET Imaging Method Could Track and Guide Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes

  Aug 2, 2018 — Researchers have discovered a new nuclear medicine test that could improve care of patients with type 1 diabetes. The new PET imaging method could measure beta-cell mass, which would greatly enhance the ability to monitor and guide diabetes therapies. This study is reported in the featured article of the month in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine’s August issue.

• This Month in JNM

  Aug 2, 2018 — The August 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about a PET imaging method to track and guide therapies for type 1 diabetes, 18F-FES PET to assess heterogeneity of estrogen receptor expression in breast cancer patients, a theranostic approach for small-volume ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis, and more!

• SNMMI Technologist Section Announces 2018 Award Winners

  Jul 30, 2018 — SNMMI’s Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS) recognized contributions to and work in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging during the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. Several awards ceremonies were held to recognize the valuable role that SNMMI-TS members play in advancing the discipline of nuclear medicine technology.

• USP Releases Chapter 825 on Radiopharmaceuticals

  Jul 27, 2018 — A summary of this new chapter on radiopharmaceuticals is provided here. SNMMI had recommended that a new chapter be established and now looks forward to reviewing it and providing comments. Members are also encouraged to submit comments.

• CMS Proposes 2019 Outpatient Payment Rules

  Jul 26, 2018 — CMS's Proposed Hospital Outpatient Rule has been released. Fees are up slightly.

• The NRC Adopts Many of SNMMI's Recommendations in Final Rule on Medical Use of Byproduct Material

  Jul 25, 2018 — NRC releases amendments related to medical event reporting, training and experience, and measuring molybdenum concentration, among other provisions.

• SNMMI Supports Bill Funding Mo-99 Domestic Production

  Jul 19, 2018 — In a letter to the Senate and House subcommittees on Energy and Water Development, SNMMI President Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD, joined with leaders of other medical societies, patient groups, radiopharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, and medical imaging companies to urge support of a provision in both the Senate and House bills that would provide $20 million in additional funding to continue establishing domestic production of Mo-99.

• The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Impact Factor Increases by 12 Percent

  Jul 18, 2018 — The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM)—SNMMI's flagship publication—has again been ranked among the top medical imaging journals worldwide, according to new data released in the 2017 Journal Citation Reports© published by Clarivate Analytics. JNM’s impact factor went up from 6.646 (2016) to 7.439 (2017).

• SNMMI-TS Anatomy Series Webinars: Free for SNMMI Members

  Jul 18, 2018 — Designed specifically for technologists, the new Anatomy Webinar Series features detailed explanations of how tracers affect anatomical structures and what is considered normal and abnormal biodistribution. Each section of the body has a presentation displaying anatomical notations useful in a clinical setting.

• Availability of Mo-99

  Jul 12, 2018 — Nuclear reactors in both South Africa and Australia are off-line for unscheduled reasons. Efforts are being made to reduce the impact on patients.

• SNMMI-ACNM-ASTRO Submit Joint Comments to NRC on Training and Experience Requirements

  Jul 10, 2018 — SNMMI together with representatives from ACNM and ASTRO offered recommendations for potential updates to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s requirements for those who wish to be authorized users of unsealed byproduct material.

• Novel PET Imaging Method More Fully Evaluates Extent of Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation

  Jul 9, 2018 — A new PET imaging method more fully evaluates the extent of rheumatoid arthritis by targeting translocator protein (TSPO) expression in the synovium (joint lining tissue). The study is featured in the July issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• Novel Pretargeted Radionuclide Therapy for HER2-Expressing Cancers Shows Promise

  Jul 2, 2018 — In a mouse model, researchers have demonstrated that a novel, affibody-based pretargeted radionuclide therapy for HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)-expressing cancers is non-toxic to the kidneys and improves survival. The study is reported in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine’s July featured article of the month.

• This Month in JNM

  Jul 1, 2018 — The July 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about radionuclide therapy of HER2-expressing human xenografts using an affibody molecule-based PNA-mediated pretargeting; translocator protein as an imaging marker of macrophage and stromal activation in RA pannus; the effects of fasting on 18F-DCFPyL uptake in prostate cancer lesions and tissues with known high physiologic uptake; and more.

• SNMMI 65th Annual Meeting Sets the Stage for a Revolution in Precision Medicine

  Jun 28, 2018 — More than 5,000 physicians, technologists, scientists and exhibitors gathered for the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 65th Annual Meeting, held June 23-26 in Philadelphia. With nuclear medicine playing a growing role in providing precision medicine, theranostics (combining diagnostic imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy) were an important focus throughout the meeting.

• SNMMI Announces Mark H. Crosthwaite, MEd, CNMT, PET, NMTCB(S), FSNMMI-TS, as President-Elect of Technologist Section during 2018 Annual Meeting

  Jun 26, 2018 — Mark H. Crosthwaite, MEd, CNMT, PET, NMTCB(S), FSNMMI-TS, associate professor and program director of the baccalaureate nuclear medicine technology program, Department of Radiation Sciences, at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, has been named 2018-2019 president elect of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS).

• SNMMI Announces Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, as President of Technologist Section During 2018 Annual Meeting

  Jun 26, 2018 — Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, has been elected as the 2018-2019 president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS). The new slate of officers was introduced during the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s (SNMMI) 2018 Annual Meeting, June 23–26 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Announces 2018 Fellows

  Jun 26, 2018 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging recognized 14 new SNMMI Fellows on June 25 during a Special Plenary Session at the society’s 2018 Annual Meeting, held June 23-26 in Philadelphia.

• Early Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer with PSMA-Targeted Radioligand Therapy Prolongs Life

  Jun 26, 2018 — Research presented at the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting demonstrates for the first time the benefit of providing earlier lutetium-177 prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligand therapy to patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Until now, this therapy has only been used in patients with end-stage disease.

• Fluciclovine PET/CT Locates Recurrent Prostate Cancer and Advises Management

  Jun 26, 2018 — The addition of fluorine-18-fluciclovine PET/CT to the diagnostic work-up of patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer locates previously undetected lesions and changes treatment management for the majority of patients, according to a clinical trial report presented at the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting.

• SNMMI and SNMMI-TS Welcome New Officers for 2018-19

  Jun 26, 2018 — At the 2018 SNMMI Annual Meeting in Denver, the SNMMI and SNMMI-TS welcomed new officers for the coming year.

• SNMMI Image of the Year: PSMA PET Imaging of Theranostic for Advanced Prostate Cancer

  Jun 26, 2018 — In the battle against metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, studies have demonstrated a high response rate to radionuclide therapy targeting PSMA with the radionuclide lutetium-177. At the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting, researchers reported on a phase II prospective trial. Using gallium-68-PSMA11 PET imaging, men who had exhausted conventional therapies were screened. Those with high PSMA-expression proceeded to 177Lu-PSMA617 (LuPSMA) therapy and experienced high response rates, which is clearly demonstrated in the PSMA PET imaging figure selected as the 2018 SNMMI Image of the Year.

• SNMMI Elects Alan B. Packard, PhD, as Vice President-Elect at 2018 Annual Meeting

  Jun 25, 2018 — Alan Packard, PhD, has been elected as 2018-19 vice president-elect of SNMMI. He is associate professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, director of radiopharmaceutical research and a senior research associate in nuclear medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, and a research associate in nuclear medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

• New Theranostic Strategy Developed for Precise Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy

  Jun 25, 2018 — A novel, intelligent theranostic agent for precise tumor diagnosis and therapy has been developed that remains as small molecules while circulating in the bloodstream, can then self-assemble into larger nanostructures in the tumor, and be activated by the tumor microenvironment for therapy guided by photoacoustic imaging. The research was presented at the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting.

• Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, MD, PhD, Receives 2018 Benedict Cassen Prize for Research in Molecular Imaging

  Jun 25, 2018 — Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, MD, PhD, known for his pioneering work in multimodality molecular imaging, was awarded the Benedict Cassen Prize during the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) in Philadelphia, Pa. This honor is awarded every two years by the Education and Research Foundation for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging in recognition of outstanding achievement and work leading to a major advance in nuclear medicine science.

• SNMMI Elects Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD, as President During 2018 Annual Meeting

  Jun 25, 2018 — Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, has assumed office as 2018-19 president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). SNMMI introduced a new slate of officers during its 2018 Annual Meeting, June 23–26 in Philadelphia.

• SNMMI Elects Vasken Dilsizian, MD, as President-Elect During 2018 Annual Meeting

  Jun 25, 2018 — Vasken Dilsizian, MD, professor of radiology and medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and chief of the Division of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, has assumed office as 2018-19 president-elect of SNMMI.

• Simon Cherry, PhD, Receives SNMMI 2018 Paul C. Aebersold Award for Outstanding Achievement in Basic Nuclear Medicine Science

  Jun 24, 2018 — Simon R. Cherry, PhD, Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Davis, has been named the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Paul C. Aebersold Award. Cherry was presented the award by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) during its Annual Meeting, June 23-26 in Philadelphia, PA.

• Richard L. Wahl, MD, Receives SNMMI 2018 Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award

  Jun 24, 2018 — Richard L. Wahl, MD, FACNM, FACR, has been named this year’s recipient of the Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award for his contributions to nuclear medicine. Wahl is the Elizabeth E. Mallinckrodt Professor and head of radiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, director of the university’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and a professor of radiation oncology. He was presented the award by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) during its 2018 Annual Meeting, June 23-26 in Philadelphia.

• New Nuclear Medicine Technique Could Help Tackle Brain Disease

  Jun 24, 2018 — A new molecular imaging method can monitor the success of gene therapy in all areas of the brain, potentially allowing physicians to more effectively tackle brain conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. The research was presented today at the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting, June 23-26 in Philadelphia.

• Novel Nuclear Medicine Approach Shows Promise for Treating Wide Array of Cancerous Tumors

  Jun 24, 2018 — A novel nuclear medicine approach is showing great promise for precision treatment of solid tumors in many types of cancer—including lung, breast, pancreas and ovarian in adults and glioma, neuroblastoma and sarcoma in children. The research was presented today at the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting, June 23-26 in Philadelphia.

• Novel Nuclear Medicine Probe Will Help Assess New Drugs for Neurodegenerative Diseases

  Jun 24, 2018 — New nuclear medicine tracers could help medical researchers find a cure for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. The research was presented today at the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting, June 23-26 in Philadelphia.

• Combining Targeted Radionuclide Therapy and Immunotherapy Could Improve Melanoma Survival

  Jun 24, 2018 — Research presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) shows that combining targeted radionuclide therapy with immunotherapy could improve the survival of patients with metastatic melanoma.

• Novel Long-Lasting Radionuclide Therapy for Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors Proves Effective

  Jun 24, 2018 — A first-in-human study presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrates the benefits and safety of a new, long-lasting type of radionuclide therapy for patients with advanced, metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

• Novel PET Tracer Successfully Images Cardiovascular Infections

  Jun 23, 2018 — A novel positron emission tomography (PET) tracer has been developed that can accurately image cardiovascular infections, which are extremely dangerous and have a high fatality rate. The research was presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

• Improved PSMA-Targeting Agent More Effective for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy in Mice

  Jun 23, 2018 — Research presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrates a potentially more effective method of imaging and treating prostate cancer that modifies a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand by adding an albumin-binding Evans blue (an azo dye) derivative.

• SNMMI—Highlights from a Year Full of Accomplishments

  Jun 20, 2018 — As we approach the SNMMI Annual Meeting, we are ending a productive and exciting year! SNMMI and SNMMI-TS moved forward on many key issues and activities that affect imaging research and practice, with the ultimate goal of delivering the best possible care to patients. Take a few minutes to read this brief Year in Review with 20 highlights of SNMMI and SNMMI-TS accomplishments.

• The AMA's RUC and Why It Is Important to You

  Jun 12, 2018 — The American Medical Association (AMA) has an expert panel called the Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC), which advocates for accurate valuation of all physician services. If you receive a request from SNMMI to participate in an AMA RUC survey, it is imperative that you participate so your voice can be heard.

• WMIS, ACR and SNMMI Urge CMS to Reopen Reconsideration for NaF PET

  Jun 7, 2018 — Medicare patients with metastatic cancers may be negatively impacted by the recent decision of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to decline to provide coverage for 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography (NaF PET) imaging.

• New Nuclear Medicine Method Shows Promise for Better Detection of Neuroendocrine Tumors

  Jun 6, 2018 — Researchers have shown that a new nuclear medicine procedure could safely and more effectively detect cancerous gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors than current methods. The study is featured in the June issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• Novel PET Imaging Noninvasively Pinpoints Colitis Inflammation Sites

  Jun 4, 2018 — A novel positron emission tomography (PET) imaging method shows promise for noninvasively pinpointing sites of inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), study is featured in the June issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• This Month in JNM

  Jun 1, 2018 — The June 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about small proteins for radionuclide imaging; novel PET imaging methods, including for pinpointing sites of inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease and for more effectively identifying GEP-NETs; and more!

• SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting: Imaging the Future of Human Health

  May 31, 2018 — The SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA, June 23–26. It will bring together physicians, technologists, pharmacists and scientists from around the globe to share research, network, and collaborate on “Imaging the Future of Human Health.”

• Comments Sent to FDA Regarding Amino Acids Needed During Lu-177 DOTATATE Therapy

  May 29, 2018 — SNMMI, the Mayo Clinic, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have jointly filed comments with the FDA with recommendations for regulatory changes that would make it easier for patients with GEP-NETs to obtain arginine and lysine--amino acids that can mitigate side effects of Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy.

• Session on Training for Nuclear Medicine Physicians to be Offered at SNMMI Annual Meeting

  May 22, 2018 — The training path for nuclear medicine physicians is an important and ongoing topic of discussion for the field. To advance this discussion, Satoshi Minoshima, MD, and Richard L. Wahl, MD, FACNM, have developed a continuing education session for the 2018 SNMMI Annual Meeting in Philadelphia (June 23-26), which will also be available through the Virtual Meeting.

• The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Adds Immediate Open Access Option

  May 21, 2018 — The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM) now provides an Immediate Open Access (IOA) publication option to accommodate authors who need to comply with specific funding mandates.

• SNMMI Advocates for Improved Reimbursement at CMS Public Meeting

  May 21, 2018 — SNMMI recently advocated on behalf of members and their patients at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) workgroup public meeting. Lu-177-dotatate, Ga-68-dotatate, and Fl-18-fluciclovine are all delivered by pharmacies in per-study doses, not per-unit doses; SNMMI requested that CMS modify the coding descriptors for payment accordingly.

• SNMMI Collaborates with Industry to Advance the Field of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

  May 17, 2018 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Value Initiative Industry Alliance brings members of the corporate community to the table as key players in building the future of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging and demonstrating to the medical community, regulators, patients and the public their crucial role in delivering the highest quality of care.

• Physicians: Your Input Needed on PET/CT Survey

  May 8, 2018 — Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School are surveying practicing nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists to determine when and why PET/CTs are performed for inpatients. The survey is brief and anonymous. Please participate now!

• PET Imaging Agent Could Provide Early Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

  May 3, 2018 — A novel PET tracer developed by Korean researchers can visualize joint inflammation and could provide early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, a common autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of joints and can lead to deformity and dysfunction. The study is reported in the featured basic science article in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine’s May issue.

• Novel Theranostic Approach for Treating Pancreatic Cancer Patients Shows Promise

  May 1, 2018 — German researchers have developed a novel diagnostic and therapeutic (theranostic) procedure for patients with ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a deadly cancer with an extremely poor prognosis (five-year survival rate of less than 5 percent) and limited treatment options. The study is featured in the May issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• SNMMI Annual Meeting: Plenary Speakers Announced

  May 1, 2018 — Speakers have been announced for the plenary sessions of the 2018 SNMMI Annual Meeting, to be held June 23–26 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• This Month in JNM

  May 1, 2018 — The May 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about a novel theranostic approach for treating pancreatic cancer, a PET imaging agent for early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, selecting the right PET radiotracer for prostate cancer, recent developments in diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound, and more!

• DaT SPECT Video Shows Patients What to Expect

  Apr 18, 2018 — Dopamine transporter (DaT) imaging, with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), is used to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. To help patients who are scheduled for a DaT SPECT procedure, SNMMI’s Brain Imaging Outreach Working Group created a video that takes the patient through what happens at each step.

• PET Tracer Could Help Predict Treatment Effectiveness for Depression

  Apr 6, 2018 — A PET imaging agent could show, ahead of time, whether a specific treatment is likely to be effective for major depressive disorder—a debilitating condition that affects more than 14 million Americans. No such marker is currently available in clinical psychiatry. The study is featured in the April issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• Novel PET Imaging Agent Could Help Guide Therapy for Brain Diseases

  Apr 2, 2018 — Researchers have developed a new PET imaging agent that could help guide and assess treatments for people with various neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. The agent targets receptors in nerve cells in the brain that are involved in learning and memory. The study is featured in the April issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• This Month in JNM

  Apr 1, 2018 — The April 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about new PET tracers—one that could help guide therapy for brain diseases and another that could help predict treatment effectiveness for depression, PET/CT in local ablative therapies, challenges in nuclear endocrinology and more!

• Happy Birthday RAI!

  Mar 31, 2018 — On this day in 1941, Dr. Saul Hertz administered the very first radioactive iodine therapy to a patient with Graves' Disease. This pivotal treatment was the index case for what we today know as radioactive iodine therapy for hyperthyroidism, and it validated the concept that is now known as theranostics.

• Partial Relief for High-Value Radiopharmaceuticals in Signed Budget Bill

  Mar 23, 2018 — Buried in the Budget Bill that was just signed into law is a provision that provides some high-value radiopharmaceuticals partial and temporary relief. It also mandates that the Government Accountability Office study the problems with reimbursement for these drugs and report back to Congress.

• Societies Collaborate to Address Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

  Mar 22, 2018 — Representatives of SNMMI, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), the European Thyroid Association (ETA) and American Thyroid Association (ATA) met at the Multilateral Conference on Differentiated Thyroid Cancer and began working collaboratively on issues related to the care of patients with thyroid cancer, with particular focus on radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy.

• SNMMI Seeks Expanded Coverage for NaF PET

  Mar 21, 2018 — SNMMI, the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS), and the American College of Radiology (ACR) are recommending that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reconsider the current restrictive coverage policy for NaF PET imaging to identify bone metastases, which can inform treatment strategy.

• Patient Fly-In for Capitol Hill Advocacy: Bill to Reclassify Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals as Drugs

  Mar 15, 2018 — Patients advocates with a wide range of health conditions—including neuroendocrine tumors, lymphoma and cancers of the lung, breast, and prostate—flew into Washington, DC, for March 14 meetings on Capitol Hill to urge support for a bill that would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reclassify diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals as drugs. Patients rely on the radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosing and monitoring their conditions, as well as guiding therapy.

• Technologists: The JNMT Twitter Club Launches in April!

  Mar 14, 2018 — Starting in April, at least one scientific article in each issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology (JNMT) will be selected for discussion by the new JNMT Twitter Club (@JNMTClub). Participants read the article before the club meets, then discusses it via Twitter, using #JNMTclub in each tweet. (1 CE hour can be earned via the short post-exam.)

• Novel PET Imaging Agent Targets Copper in Tumors, Allowing Early Detection of Prostate Cancer Recurrence

  Mar 5, 2018 — An Italian study featured in the March issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine demonstrates that a novel nuclear medicine imaging agent targeting copper accumulation in tumors can detect prostate cancer recurrence early in patients with biochemical relapse (rising prostate-specific antigen [PSA] level).

• JNMT: New Cover, New Features

  Mar 5, 2018 — The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology (JNMT) has a new cover design and new features under the leadership Kathy Thomas, MHA, CNMT, whose five-year term as editor began in January.

• Researchers Develop New Approach That Uses a Single PET Scan to Personalize Cancer Treatment

  Mar 1, 2018 — Researchers have developed a same-day, noninvasive PET-based imaging approach to assess PD-L1 positive tumors, which could help guide cancer treatment decisions and assess treatment response. The study is presented in the featured article of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine’s March issue.

• This Month in JNM

  Mar 1, 2018 — The March 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available. Read about a PET imaging agent that assesses PD-L1-positive tumors and another that targets copper in prostate cancer tumors, patient management after NaF PET, dual-targeted molecular imaging and more!

• What’s New at the 2018 SNMMI Annual Meeting

  Feb 23, 2018 — SNMMI’s 2018 Annual Meeting—the premier educational, scientific and networking event for the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging community—will be held in Philadelphia, PA, June 23–26. There's much that's new this year, including a number of features added in response to member feedback: a condensed 4-day meeting, nuts-and-bolts sessions, interactive training showcases in the Exhibit Hall and more! We also welcome China as the Highlight Country!

• SNMMI and ASNC Issue Joint Guidelines for Quantification of Myocardial Blood Flow Using PET

  Feb 13, 2018 — SNMMI's Cardiovascular Council and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) have issued the joint position paper, Clinical Quantification of Myocardial Blood Flow Using PET, which was jointly published in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology and The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• SNMMI To Monitor Current Research Looking at Potential Job-Related Health Risks to Technologists

  Feb 6, 2018 — According to a study published in the February issue of Radiology, imaging specialists who have performed nuclear medicine exams appear to be at higher risk of developing cataracts. SNMMI and SNMMI-TS place the highest importance on the safety of nuclear medicine professionals and are monitoring this issue, as well as any other potential nuclear medicine-related health risks to professionals in the field.

• PSMA PET/CT Clearly Differentiates Prostate Cancer from Benign Tissue

  Feb 5, 2018 — Using nuclear medicine, German researchers have found a way to accurately differentiate cancerous tissue from healthy tissue in prostate cancer patients. The research is highlighted in the February issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• PSMA PET/CT Visualizes Prostate Cancer Recurrence Early, Impacts Radiation Therapy

  Feb 1, 2018 — A nuclear medicine scan may locate prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy early after disease recurrence and could help guide salvage radiotherapy, according to new research from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). The study, which utilizes PET/CT with gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA-11), is documented in the featured article in the February issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• This Month in JNM

  Feb 1, 2018 — The February 2018 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available.

• SNMMI and SNMMI-TS Announce 2018 Leadership Academy Graduates

  Jan 31, 2018 — During SNMMI’s Mid-Winter Meeting in Orlando, Florida, both SNMMI and SNMMI-TS held leadership academies. These academies are building a cadre of physicians, scientists and technologists with strong leadership abilities who are taking on active roles in the society at the chapter and national levels, as well as within the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging community. Congratulations to all the new graduates!

• SNMMI-TS State Advocacy Update

  Jan 25, 2018 — SNMMI has been working with state Technologist Advocacy Group (TAG) representatives to promote licensure and the new Nuclear Medicine Technologist Scope of Practice and Performance Standards. Read about recent successes and current efforts.

• Temporary Mo-99 Shortfall Being Addressed

  Jan 23, 2018 — With the temporary stoppage of Mo-99 production at South Africa’s NTP Radioisotopes and the unexpected shutdown of Australia’s OPAL reactor, the Association of Imaging Producers & Equipment Suppliers (AIPES) expects there could be an approximately 15-percent shortfall in Mo-99 to meet world demand over the next one-to-two weeks. The good news is that safeguards in place for the Mo-99 supply pipeline are working as anticipated to cover just such unexpected stoppages.

• Update on Procedure Standards

  Jan 18, 2018 — The SNMMI Committee on Procedure Standards, chaired by Dominique Delbeke, MD, PhD, FSNMMI, is working with its counterpart at EANM and other partner organizations to update joint procedure standards and develop guidelines for new procedures.

• Jeri Francoeur Joins SNMMI Patient Advocacy Advisory Board as Susan G. Komen Foundation Representative

  Jan 16, 2018 — Jeri Francoeur has joined the SNMMI's Patient Advocacy Advisory Board, representing the Susan G. Komen Foundation. A breast cancer survivor who also lost a close friend to the disease, she is a passionate advocate for breast cancer research and funding, as well as patient education on treatment options.

• Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology to Be Covered by Clarivate Analytics

  Jan 11, 2018 — The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology (JNMT) has been selected by Clarivate Analytics for inclusion in its Emerging Sources Citation Index. This coverage begins with 2017.

• Kathy Thomas Named Editor of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology

  Jan 9, 2018 — Kathy Thomas, MHA, CNMT, PET, FSNMMI-TS, is the new editor of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology (JNMT), which is published by the technologist section of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). She has taken over leadership of JNMT from Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, and her five-year term begins January 2018.

• Novel PET Tracer Clearly Identifies and Tracks Bacterial Infection in Lungs

  Jan 8, 2018 — Researchers at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, have demonstrated that a new radiotracer, F-18-FDS, can identify and track bacterial infection in lungs better than current imaging methods and is able to differentiate bacterial infection from inflammation. The study is the featured basic science article in the January issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• SNMMI Publishes Appropriate Use Criteria for Somatostatin Receptor PET Imaging

  Jan 4, 2018 — SNMMI has published appropriate use criteria (AUC) for somatostatin receptor PET imaging in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), addressing several clinical scenarios for diagnosing NETs. This AUC is part of a new series developed by SNMMI in its role as a qualified provider-led entity under the Medicare Appropriate Use Criteria Program for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging.

• Total-Body PET: Maximizing Sensitivity for Clinical Research and Patient Care

  Jan 3, 2018 — The new total-body PET/CT scanner could revolutionize our understanding and treatment of disease through analysis of better imaging data from the whole body. In The Journal of Nuclear Medicine featured January article, scientists at the University of California, Davis, outline the development and benefits of this innovative diagnostic tool and explain how maximizing PET sensitivity will advance clinical research and patient care.

• This Month in JNM

  Jan 2, 2018 — The January issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available.

• Nuclear Medicine Working Group Receives Image Gently Alliance 2017 Butterfly Award

  Dec 21, 2017 — Frederic H. Fahey, DSc, FSNMMI, and S. Ted Treves, MD, accepted the 2017 Butterfly Award on behalf of the Image Gently Nuclear Medicine Working Group at the recent Image Gently Alliance meeting. Congratulations to the Nuclear Medicine Working Group for its efforts to improve the radionuclide imaging of children through the right dose, given the right way to the right patient at the right time!

• SNMMI Solves Billing Problem in Much of South

  Dec 15, 2017 — Palmetto GBA, a Medicare administrative contractor, has agreed to make billing-policy changes that SNMMI requested regarding payment for wastage from single-dose vials of radiopharmaceuticals. These changes affect North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia now, and will apply to the states that Palmetto will take over in 2018 (Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee).

• Nuclear Medicine Community Calls for Funding of Domestic Mo-99 Production

  Dec 11, 2017 — SNMMI and other societies and organizations in the nuclear medicine community have sent joint letters to the U.S. Senate and House chairs and ranking members of the respective Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development of the Committees on Appropriations, voicing support for $67.4 million to secure a sufficient domestic supply of the medical isotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99).

• PET Tracer Gauges Effectiveness of Promising Alzheimer’s Treatment

  Dec 6, 2017 — In the December featured basic science article in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Belgian researchers report on the first large-scale longitudinal imaging study to evaluate BACE1 inhibition with micro-PET in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. PET imaging has been established as an excellent identifier of the amyloid plaque and tau tangles that characterize Alzheimer’s disease. Now it is proving to be an effective way to gauge treatment effectiveness.

• PET Scan Identifies Which Prostate Cancer Patients Can Benefit from Salvage Radiation Treatment

  Dec 4, 2017 — For prostate cancer patients who have rising levels of PSA (a cancer indicator) even after radical prostatectomy, early treatment makes a difference. In a study featured in the December issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Australian researchers demonstrate that PET scans can identify which of these prostate cancer patients would benefit from salvage radiation treatment.

• Novel Nuclear Medicine Test Can Identify Kidney Transplant Infection

  Nov 8, 2017 — German scientists have developed a novel nuclear medicine test that can determine whether a kidney transplant patient has developed infection in the transplanted tissue. The study, which utilizes positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI), is presented in the November issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• FDG PET Shows Tumor DNA Levels in Blood Are Linked to NSCLC Aggressiveness

  Nov 6, 2017 — Insights derived from FDG PET could improve treatment selection for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The study is presented in the featured clinical investigation article of the November issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• SNMMI’s 2016 Annual Report Receives MARCOM Platinum Award

  Nov 3, 2017 — "SNMMI: The Integral Thread – 2016 Annual Report" has received a MARCOM Platinum Award for excellence in communications and marketing. This recognition highlights the report’s successful representation of the innovative and collaborative nuclear medicine and molecular imaging research and clinical application process for which SNMMI is truly an integral thread.

• New System for Treating Colorectal Cancer Can Lead to Complete Cure

  Nov 2, 2017 — Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston have developed a new, three-step system that uses nuclear medicine to target and eliminate colorectal cancer. In this study with a mouse model, researchers achieved a 100-percent cure rate—without any treatment-related toxic effects. The study is reported in the November featured article in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• This Month in JNM

  Nov 1, 2017 — The November issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available.

• The Lancet Oncology Commission Issues Report on Future Research Priorities

  Nov 1, 2017 — A number of SNMMI members served as commissioners and contributed to development of the report on Future Research Priorities in the USA, which sets out how to accelerate cancer research and care in order to reach the goals of the U.S. Cancer Moonshot initiative.

• SNMMI Publishes Appropriate Use Criteria for FDG PET/CT in Restaging and Treatment Response Assessment of Malignant Disease

  Oct 24, 2017 — SNMMI has published appropriate use criteria (AUC) for FDG PET/CT in restaging and treatment response assessment of malignant disease. As cancer patients move through therapy, FDG PET/CT has proven an effective tool for assessing treatment response and updating the stage of malignancy. This AUC aims to improve utilization and guide providers across specialties in its use.

• International Atomic Energy Agency and SNMMI Sign Cooperative Agreement

  Oct 23, 2017 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have established practical arrangements to cooperate on extending the reach of educational materials for nuclear medicine diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The agreement was signed at the 30th Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) in Vienna, Austria, on October 23, 2017.

• Questions on Coding and Reimbursement? Visit the SNMMI Coding Corner!

  Oct 20, 2017 — SNMMI’s Coding Corner provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive source for nuclear medicine coding and reimbursement information on the web. In addition, the Coding and Reimbursement Q&A Section contains more than 120 questions and answers related to cardiology; NETS; oncology; PET, PET/CT and PET/MRI; pharmaceuticals and more. There’s also the option to ask new questions.

• Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, Receives Southeastern Chapter’s Marshall Brucer Award

  Oct 11, 2017 — The Southeastern Chapter of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SECSNMMI) presented Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, with the Marshall Brucer Award, the highest honor that the chapter can bestow upon a member, during the SECSNMMI Annual Meeting, held October 6-8, 2017, in Birmingham, Alabama.

• SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy Receives AAMSE Profiles of Excellence Award

  Oct 10, 2017 — The SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy has received the American Association of Medical Society Executives’ (AAMSE) 2017 Profiles of Excellence Award in the Leadership Category. The SNMMI-TS Leadership Academy, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, is a two-day course that hones the leadership and organizational skills of participants, helping them become more engaged and effective leaders at the regional and national levels.

• New for Technologists! Radiation Safety+ Review and Essentials

  Oct 10, 2017 — SNMMI’s new Radiation Safety+ Review and Essentials program provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of radiation safety for nuclear medicine technologists preparing to take the NMTCB Radiation Safety Exam.

• Novel PET Tracer Identifies Most Bacterial Infections

  Oct 5, 2017 — Stanford University medical scientists have developed a novel imaging agent that could be used to identify most bacterial infections. The study is the featured basic science article in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine’s October issue.

• What’s Next for Nuclear Medicine Training?

  Oct 4, 2017 — The “Hot Topic” article in the October issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM), titled Nuclear Medicine Training: What Now?, examines the role of nuclear medicine in the era of precision medicine and the need for training to evolve with the practice. An associated editorial presents an alternative view: “Is 16 Months of Specialized Nuclear Medicine Training Enough for Best Patient Care?” The two perspectives kick off a discussion that will unfold in coming issues of JNM.

• New Targeted Alpha Therapy Protocol for Advanced Prostate Cancer

  Oct 3, 2017 — Therapy options are limited for men with advanced-stage, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, but a new treatment protocol offers hope. In the featured article of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine’s October issue, German researchers report on a new dosing regimen for actinium-225-labeled targeted alpha therapy of patients with prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive tumors. The protocol balances treatment response with toxicity concerns to provide the most effective therapy with the least side effects.

• This Month in JNM

  Oct 2, 2017 — The October issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is now available.

• Thoughts and Prayers for All Affected by Recent Natural Disasters

  Sep 27, 2017 — To SNMMI members, colleagues and all affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, as well as the earthquakes in Mexico, we send our thoughts and prayers. SNMMI is reaching out to members in the impacted areas and has made a donation to relief efforts.

• New Book Available on Abdominal Imaging

  Sep 14, 2017 — "Abdominal Imaging 2017: Quality, Safety, & Dose Optimization" is the second installment in a series of books dedicated to a single nuclear medicine procedure or imaging category. The book is put out by the SNMMI-TS Publications Committee, and chapters cover imaging rationale, indications, contraindications, patient preparation and education, imaging procedure, processing, interpretation including normal and abnormal results, sensitivity/specificity/accuracy, and artifacts.

• Theranostics: Paintball Targeting of Cancer Cells Combined with Precision Therapy

  Sep 13, 2017 — The Journal of Nuclear Medicine’s September supplement shines a spotlight on theranostics and its increasingly important role in delivering precision medicine. Theranostics refers to the combination of a predictive biomarker, identified through diagnostic imaging using radiolabeled ligands, with precise therapy targeted on the now-marked cancer cells. The cancer cells are destroyed, while healthy cells are unharmed.

• September JNM Supplement Highlights Theranostics

  Sep 8, 2017 — See what articles are in the The Journal of Nuclear Medicine September Supplement on Clinical and Translational Theranostics.

• Double Targeting Ligands to Identify and Treat Prostate Cancer

  Sep 7, 2017 — Researchers have demonstrated a new, effective way to precisely identify and localize prostate cancer tumors while protecting healthy tissue and reducing side effects. The study is presented in the featured basic article of the September issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• FDG-PET/CT Predicts Melanoma Patients’ Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

  Sep 5, 2017 — Research highlighted in the featured article of the September issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine demonstrates that combined PET/CT scanning early in the treatment of advanced melanoma could identify whether immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy will benefit a particular patient. As the therapy has potentially serious side-effects, early determination of ineffectiveness could avert unnecessary risk exposure and provide the option of a different treatment.

• Thoughts and Prayers for All Affected by Hurricane Harvey

  Aug 29, 2017 — To SNMMI members, colleagues and all affected by Hurricane Harvey, we send our thoughts and prayers. We are deeply saddened by the flooding, devastation, and loss of life this storm has wrought. SNMMI is reaching out to members in the impacted areas of southeast Texas and Louisiana and will be making a donation to relief efforts.

• SNMMI 2017-2019 Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship Recipients Announced

  Aug 24, 2017 — SNMMI is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2017-2019 SNMMI Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship. This two-year fellowship, founded in 2008 by the late Henry N. Wagner, Jr., MD, and the late Kanji Torizuka, MD, PhD, is designed to provide extensive training and experience in the fields of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging for Japanese physicians in the early stages of their careers. Applications for the 2018-2020 SNMMI Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship are due by January 20, 2018.

• Registration for WFNMB 2018 is now open!

  Aug 22, 2017 — Registration is now open for the 12th Congress of the World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology (WFNMB), which will be held April 20-24, 2018, in Melbourne, Australia. Early-bird rates apply until January 19, 2018.

• Joint document details how to diagnose, treat cardiac sarcoidosis

  Aug 18, 2017 — The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) have issued a joint consensus document on the role of F-18-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis.

• First Human Application of Novel PET Tracer for Prostate Cancer

  Aug 7, 2017 — In the featured translational article in the August issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, researchers at the University of Michigan demonstrate the potential of a new PET tracer, Carbon-11 labeled sarcosine (11C-sarcosine), for imaging prostate cancer, and set the stage for its possible use in monitoring other cancers.

• SNMMI Publishes Appropriate Use Criteria for Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy in Abdominal Pain

  Aug 3, 2017 — SNMMI has published appropriate use criteria (AUC) for hepatobiliary scintigraphy in abdominal pain. This is the third in a series of new AUC developed by SNMMI in its role as a qualified provider-led entity (PLE) under the Medicare Appropriate Use Criteria Program for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging. The other recently released AUC are for bone scintigraphy in prostate and breast cancer and for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) imaging in pulmonary embolism.

• SNMMI Honors Outstanding Contributors at 2017 Annual Meeting

  Aug 2, 2017 — SNMMI recognized contributions to the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging during its 2017 Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Several awards ceremonies were held to recognize the valuable role SNMMI members play in advancing the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, cancer and neurological conditions.

• New Imaging Tracer Allows Early Assessment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Risk

  Aug 1, 2017 — Yale University researchers have developed a way in which medical imaging could potentially be used to assess a patient’s rupture risk for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Delaying surgical treatment can be life-threatening, and this new type of imaging could allow physicians to diagnose disease and better plan its management. The study is presented in the featured article of the August issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• SNMMI Receives ACCME Reaccreditation for Continuing Medical Education Programs

  Jul 31, 2017 — SNMMI's Continuing Education Program for physicians has received reaccreditation for four years from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), based on its self-study report, evidence of performance-in-practice and the accreditation interview. Continuing education (CE) offerings must meet both public and professional needs, which are continuously changing in response to scientific and healthcare-delivery changes.

• SNMMI Technologist Section Announces 2017 Award Winners

  Jul 20, 2017 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS) recognized contributions to and work in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging during the SNMMI 2017 Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, held June 10-14. Several awards ceremonies were held to recognize the valuable role that SNMMI-TS members play in advancing the discipline of nuclear medicine technology.

• Radiotherapy Dose Increase to PET/CT-Identified Hypoxic NSCLC Lesions Shows Need for New Approaches

  Jul 10, 2017 — Fluorine-18-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) is a PET radiotracer that is widely used to diagnose hypoxia (insufficient oxygen supply to tissue), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with FMISO uptake are known to face a poor prognosis. A multicenter French Phase II study featured in the July issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine investigated whether a selective radiotherapy dose increase to tumor areas with significant FMISO uptake in NSCLC patients could improve outcomes.

• Novel PET Tracer Detects Small Blood Clots

  Jul 6, 2017 — Blood clots in veins and arteries can lead to heart attack, stroke, and pulmonary embolism, which are major causes of mortality. In the featured article of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine’s July 2017 issue, German researchers show that targeting GPIIb/IIIa receptors, the key receptor involved in platelet clumping, with a fluorine-18 labeled ligand is a promising approach for diagnostic imaging.

• The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Impact Factor Increases

  Jun 20, 2017 — The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM)—the flagship publication of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)—has again been ranked among the top medical imaging journals worldwide, according to new data released in the 2016 Journal Citation Reports© published by Thomson Reuters. JNM’s impact factor went up from 5.849 (2015) to 6.646 (2016).

• In Memoriam: Nuclear Medicine Pioneer David E. Kuhl, MD

  Jun 19, 2017 — David E. Kuhl, MD, a nuclear medicine pioneer who developed early prototypes of what was to become positron emission tomography (PET), died in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on May 28, 2017, at the age of 87.

• SNMMI’s 64th Annual Meeting Highlights Growing Importance of Theranostics and Showcases New Research

  Jun 15, 2017 — More than 5,000 physicians, technologists, scientists and exhibitors gathered for SNMMI’s 2017 Annual Meeting, held June 10-14 in Denver, Colorado. The meeting shined a spotlight on theranostics, featured Germany as the highlight country, showcased exciting new research results, introduced the new Value Initiative, announced the SNMMI Image of the Year, and more!

• Dual-agent PET/MR With Time of Flight Detects More Cancer

  Jun 14, 2017 — Simultaneous injections of the radiopharmaceuticals fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) and 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) followed by quantitative scanning significantly improves image quality and detection of bone metastases at a lower dose, according to research presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

• Prostate PET/CT Targets More Cancer and Improves Patient Care

  Jun 14, 2017 — An estimated one in seven American men will be affected by prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate-specific molecular imaging gives these men a fighting chance, especially if their cancer returns, according to research revealed at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

• SNMMI Image of the Year: PET and Optical Imaging of Dual-Labeled PSMA Inhibitors Shows Promise for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

  Jun 14, 2017 — In the battle against metastatic prostate cancer, the removal of lymph node metastases using image-guided surgery may have a high clinical impact on outcomes. Researchers at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrated preclinically that dual-labeled PSMA-inhibitors based on PSMA-11 enhance preoperative staging, using PET/CT followed by fluorescence-guided surgery. The combined approach results in more accurate detection of PSMA-positive tumor lesions.

• SNMMI Announces Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, as President-Elect of Technologist Section During 2017 Annual Meeting

  Jun 13, 2017 — Norman E. Bolus, MSPH, MPH, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, program director and assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions Clinical and Diagnostics Sciences Department for the Master of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology Program and interim program director of the Master of Science in Health Physics Program in Birmingham, Alabama, has been elected as the 2017-18 president-elect of the Society of SNMMI-TS.

• Immuno-PET Shows Promise for Detecting and Treating Pancreatic Tumors

  Jun 13, 2017 — A first-in-human study presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrates the feasibility and safety of the novel human monoclonal antibody HuMab-5B1 with highly specific targeting for the cancer antigen (CA) 19-9, which is expressed on pancreatic tumors and a variety of other malignancies, including small cell lung cancer and tumors of the gastrointestinal system. It holds the promise of better identifying tumors and directing treatment.

• SNMMI Announces Kathleen M. Krisak, BS, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, as President of Technologist Section During 2017 Annual Meeting

  Jun 13, 2017 — Kathleen M. Krisak, BS, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, a nuclear medicine technologist at the Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke, Mass., has been elected as the 2017-18 president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS). The new slate of officers was introduced during the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s (SNMMI) 2017 Annual Meeting, June 10-14 in Denver, Colorado.

• Single Dual Time-Point PET Scan Identifies Dual Alzheimer’s Biomarkers

  Jun 13, 2017 — Identifying Alzheimer's disease before major symptoms arise is critical to preserving brain function and helping patients maintain quality of life. A new study presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrates that a single dual time-point PET scan could identify important biomarkers of Alzheimer’s.

• SNMMI Elects Bennett S. Greenspan, MD, MS, FACNM, FACR, as President During 2017 Annual Meeting

  Jun 12, 2017 — Bennett S. Greenspan, MD, MS, FACNM, FACR, professor of radiology at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, in Augusta, GA, has assumed office as 2017-18 president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). SNMMI introduced a new slate of officers during its 2017 Annual Meeting, June 10-14, in Denver, Colorado.

• Targeted Radionuclide Treatment for Neuroendocrine Tumors Improves Quality of Life

  Jun 12, 2017 — Malignant neuroendocrine tumors, commonly called NETs, are easy to miss and associated with discouraging survival rates and poor quality of life. A study presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) shows how a novel peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is significantly improving patient wellbeing.

• Personalized PRRT Improves Radiation Delivery to Neuroendocrine Tumors

  Jun 12, 2017 — Neuroendocrine cancer is exceedingly difficult to manage and unlikely to be cured, but researchers intend to slow progression of these tumors and aid survival by personalizing patient dose of peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), according to research presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

• Combining Radionuclide Therapy with a PARP Inhibitor Slows Neuroendocrine Tumor Growth

  Jun 12, 2017 — Patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) may experience fewer symptoms and survive longer by undergoing peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) combined with a drug that makes tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy, say researchers presenting at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

• SNMMI Elects Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD, as President-Elect During 2017 Annual Meeting

  Jun 12, 2017 — Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD, professor of radiology and chairman of the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, has assumed office as 2017-18 president-elect of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). SNMMI introduced a new slate of officers during its 2017 Annual Meeting, June 10-14 in Denver, Colorado.

• At Annual Meeting, SNMMI Recognizes New Fellows for Distinguished Service

  Jun 12, 2017 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging recognized seven new SNMMI Fellows during a Special Plenary Session at the society’s 2017Annual Meeting, held June 10-14 in Denver, Colorado. The SNMMI Fellowship was established last year to recognize distinguished service to the society as well as exceptional achievement in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.

• SNMMI Elects Vasken Dilsizian, MD, as Vice President–Elect During 2017 Annual Meeting

  Jun 12, 2017 — Vasken Dilsizian, MD, professor of radiology and medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and chief of the Division of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, has assumed office as 2017-18 vice president–elect of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). SNMMI introduced a new slate of officers during its 2017 Annual Meeting, June 10-14, in Denver, Colorado.

• Targeted Photodynamic Therapy Shown Highly Effective Against Prostate Cancer

  Jun 11, 2017 — Researchers presenting a preclinical study at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrated the efficacy and optimal dose for targeted photodynamic therapy (tPDT) to treat prostate cancer before and during surgery.

• Neuro-Receptor PET Could Provide an Early Warning for Alcoholic Relapse

  Jun 11, 2017 — A study presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) reveals how brain receptors involved in the compulsion to drink, adapt to alcohol-dependency by reducing their bioavailability, but return to their normal availability after a modest period of detoxification. Receptor availability at the outset of sobriety could also serve as a predictor of long-term success.

• PET Imaging of Atherosclerosis Reveals Risk of Plaque Rupture

  Jun 11, 2017 — A new study shows that a hybrid molecular imaging system unites three imaging modalities to map the composition of dangerous arterial plaques before they rupture and induce a major cardiac event. The research was presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

• Joanna S. Fowler, PhD, Receives SNMMI 2017 Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award

  Jun 11, 2017 — Joanna S. Fowler, PhD, senior chemist emeritus of the Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York; special volunteer at the National Institutes of Health; emeritus professor in the Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University; and adjunct professor in the Psychiatry Department, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, has been named this year’s recipient of the Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award for her contributions to nuclear medicine. Fowler was presented the award by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) during its 2017 Annual Meeting, June 9-14 in Denver, Colorado.

• Martin G. Pomper, MD, PhD, Receives SNMMI 2017 Paul C. Aebersold Award for Outstanding Achievement in Basic Nuclear Medicine Science

  Jun 11, 2017 — Martin G. Pomper, MD, PhD, director of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging and professor in the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, has been named the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Paul C. Aebersold Award. Pomper was presented the award by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) during its annual meeting, held June 10-14 in Denver, Colorado.

• New Grants for Traumatic Brain Injury Research Announced by Julian Bailes, MD, at SNMMI Annual Meeting

  Jun 11, 2017 — At the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Annual Meeting, Julian E. Bailes, MD, a recognized leader in the field of neurosurgery and the impact of brain injury on brain function, announced new grant funding programs of up to $25 million for research on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

• Diagnostic Radiation Exposure Safe for Children, Experts State

  Jun 7, 2017 — In an article published in the June 2017 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, researchers assert that exposure to medical imaging radiation not only doesn’t increase an adult person’s risk of getting cancer, it doesn’t increase a child’s risk. According to the authors, the long-held belief that even low doses of radiation, such as those received in diagnostic imaging, increase cancer risk is based on an inaccurate, 70-year-old hypothesis and leads to unnecessary fear and misdiagnoses.

• National Decision Support Company and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging enter agreement for delivery of Appropriate Use Criteria

  Jun 6, 2017 — National Decision Support Company and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging announced today that they have entered an agreement to make the SNMMI Imaging Appropriate Use Criteria available to referring physicians and other medical providers.

• PET/MR Shows Arterial CO2 as Potent Vasodilator for Cardiac Stress Testing

  Jun 5, 2017 — Using PET/MR imaging, a new international study featured in the June issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine demonstrates that increases in partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) can safely and efficiently widen blood vessels of the heart during stress tests to help determine heart function.

• In Memoriam: William Cushman Harvey, MD

  Jun 5, 2017 — William Cushman Harvey, MD, founder of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, passed away on February 18, 2017.

• USP Plans to Establish New Chapter for Radiopharmaceuticals and Calls for Candidates on Expert Panel

  Jun 2, 2017 — The USP plans to establish a new General Chapter <825> Compounding-Radiopharmaceuticals.

• Combined Optical and Molecular Imaging Could Guide Breast-Conserving Surgery

  Jun 1, 2017 — Breast-conserving surgery is the primary treatment for early-stage breast cancer, but more accurate techniques are needed to assess resection margins during surgery to avoid the need for follow-up surgeries. Now, in a first-in-human study, British researchers have provided a possible solution using Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI), which combines optical and molecular imaging. The study is covered in the featured article of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine’s June 2017 issue.

• 2017 Robert E. Henkin Government Relations Fellowship

  May 31, 2017 — The fellows spent a week in Washington, DC, and gained firsthand knowledge of Capitol Hill and inside federal agencies.

• SNMMI"s Congressional Testimony Supporting NIH Funding

  May 30, 2017 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has submitted testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services supporting increased funding in 2018 for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The subcommittee will meet June 9, 2017.

• American College of Emergency Physicians Endorses AUC for V/Q Imaging in Pulmonary Embolism

  May 25, 2017 — The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has endorsed SNMMI’s recently released appropriate use criteria (AUC) for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) imaging in pulmonary embolism (PE). This is significant as emergency room physicians are the primary audience for this critically important procedure to diagnose or rule out PE.

• The SNMMI Annual Meeting: Reaching New Heights in the Mile-High City

  May 18, 2017 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2017 Annual Meeting will be held in Denver, Colorado, June 10-14. It will bring together more than 5,000 physicians, technologists, scientists and exhibitors from around the globe to share and learn about cutting-edge research, advance their knowledge through continuing education sessions, and network.

• Joint SNMMI/ACR Credentialing Statement Issued for PET/MRI of the Body

  May 15, 2017 — The American College of Radiology (ACR) and SNMMI have issued a joint credentialing statement for physicians responsible for the oversight and interpretation of PET/MRI examinations of the body (head and neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, skeleton, extremities). It is now available in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine online and will be published in the July issue.

• SPECT/CT Combined with Fluorescence Imaging Detects Micrometastases

  May 10, 2017 — Researchers in The Netherlands have demonstrated that combining SPECT/CT and fluorescence imaging could help surgeons differentiate tumor tissue from normal tissue. The research is detailed in the featured basic science article of the May 2017 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• Brain Injury Experts Hold Symposium Sponsored by SNMMI Clinical Trials Network

  May 8, 2017 — Experts in traumatic brain injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy gathered in Dallas, Texas, on May 6-7 for the Brain SAFTIE (Scanning to Assess For Traumatic Injury and Encephalopathy) Symposium. The participating physicians and scientists gave presentations on the current state of research in the field, identified gaps in existing knowledge, and discussed ways to address these gaps moving forward.

• This Month in JNM

  May 2, 2017 — See what articles are in the May issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• PET/CT Helps Predict Therapy Effectiveness in Pediatric Brain Tumors

  May 2, 2017 — In this first ever molecular drug-imaging study in children, researchers in The Netherlands used whole-body PET/CT scans to determine whether bevacizumab (Avastin) treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in children is likely to be effective. The study is featured in the May 2017 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

• SNMMI Publishes Appropriate Use Criteria for Ventilation/Perfusion Imaging in Pulmonary Embolism

  May 1, 2017 — SNMMI has released appropriate use criteria for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) imaging in pulmonary embolism. This is the second in a series of new AUC developed by SNMMI in its role as a qualified provider-led entity (PLE) under the Medicare Appropriate Use Criteria program for advanced diagnostic imaging.

• Joint ACNM/SNMMI Webinar on PET/CT of the Skeleton – free for SNMMI members

  Apr 19, 2017 — The American College of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM) and Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging are offering a joint webinar, part of a series that is free to full and associate SNMMI members, on “PET/CT of the Skeleton – Using CT Findings to Increase the Specificity of PET” on April 26, 2017 at 12 pm EDT.

• PET Radiotracer Design for Monitoring Targeted Immunotherapy

  Apr 7, 2017 — In an article published in the April issue of “The Journal of Nuclear Medicine,” researchers at Stanford University in California provide a template for assessing new positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers that can accurately identify molecules in cancer cells that prevent the immune system from attacking the cancer.

• SNMMI Begins Release of Appropriate Use Criteria for High-Value Nuclear Medicine Procedures

  Apr 6, 2017 — SNMMI has released a new appropriate use criteria (AUC) for bone scintigraphy in prostate and breast cancer, the two most common diagnoses for which bone scans are ordered in the adult population. This is the first in a series of new AUC developed by SNMMI in its role as a qualified provider-led entity (PLE) under the Medicare Appropriate Use Criteria Program for advanced diagnostic imaging.

• Advanced FDG-PET Image Analysis Identifies Cell Mutations in Cancer Patients

  Apr 1, 2017 — Researchers have used positron emission tomography (PET) to successfully identify genetic cell mutations that can cause lung cancer. The research, published in the featured article of the April 2017 issue of “The Journal of Nuclear Medicine,” shows that an advanced image analysis technique, radiomics, can non-invasively identify underlying cell mutations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

• SNMMI Social Media Reach Engagement Milestones

  Mar 20, 2017 — Today, information is received through a variety of media. What social media excels at is providing immediacy and a network of colleagues. It’s evident that these channels provide valuable information, as SNMMI’s Facebook page now has more than 12,000 likes, and the SNMMI LinkedIn group has more than 11,000 members!

• In Memoriam: Dirk (Dik) J. Kwekkeboom, MD, PhD

  Mar 15, 2017 — Dirk (Dik) J. Kwekkeboom, MD, PhD, professor of nuclear medicine at Erasmus Univeristy in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, passed away March 8, 2017. An SNMMI member since 1998, he was considered one of Europe’s foremost experts on peptide receptor radiotherapy and was a frequent international speaker on neuroendocrine tumor imaging and lutetium-177 octreotate therapy. 

• New in JNMT

  Mar 13, 2017 — The March 2017 issue of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology" is now available.

• Fluciclovine PET/CT Improves Radiotherapy Targeting for Recurrent Prostate Cancer

  Mar 6, 2017 — The featured clinical investigation article of the March 2017 issue of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine" demonstrates that the PET radiotracer fluciclovine (fluorine-18; F-18) can help guide and monitor targeted treatment for recurrent prostate cancer, allowing for individualized, targeted therapy.

• New PET Radiotracer Identifies Inflammation in Life-Threatening Atherosclerosis

  Mar 1, 2017 — In the featured article of the March 2017 issue of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine," researchers demonstrate that a new positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer, gallium-68 (Ga-68)-pentixafor, can quickly and non-invasively identify life-threatening atherosclerotic plaques. The tracer binds to the CXCR4 receptor on inflammatory cells present in atherosclerotic plaques—making it possible to find and treat atherosclerosis early.

• Molecular Imaging Journal: SNMMI Members Submit Free Through May 2017

  Feb 15, 2017 — The APC for articles accepted for publication in "Molecular Imaging" (MIX) is waived for SNMMI members through the end of May. From June 1, 2017, forward, SNMMI members will receive a 50% discount.

• Radiotargeted Therapy with SST2 Antagonists Could Combat Multiple Human Cancers

  Feb 6, 2017 — A study published in the February issue of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine" demonstrates the potential of extending peptide receptor radionuclide therapy targeting the somatostatin receptor to other types of malignancies beyond neuroendocrine tumors.

• SNMMI Responds to U.S. Travel Restrictions

  Feb 3, 2017 — SNMMI joins many other professional societies in the United States in asking President Trump to rescind his Executive Order restricting entry to America for individuals from certain countries. Read a message from SNMMI President Sally Schwarz, and see her letter to the President.

• New Type of PET Imaging Identifies Primary and Metastatic Prostate Cancer

  Feb 1, 2017 — In the featured article from the February 2017 issue of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine," researchers document the first-in-human application of a new imaging agent to help find prostate cancer in both early and advanced stages and plan treatment. The study indicates that the new agent—a PET radiotracer—is both safe and effective.

• FDA Issues Draft Guidances on Compounding and Repackaging Radiopharmaceuticals

  Jan 11, 2017 — The FDA issued two draft guidances that describe FDA’s proposed policies regarding the compounding and repackaging of radiopharmaceuticals for human use by state-licensed nuclear pharmacies or federal facilities, and outsourcing facilities.

• New Therapeutic Agent Proves More Effective Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer

  Jan 5, 2017 — A German multicenter study, initiated by the German Society of Nuclear Medicine, demonstrates that lutetium-177 (Lu-177)-labeled PSMA-617 is a promising new therapeutic agent for radioligand therapy (RLT) of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The study is published in the January 2017 issue of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine" and is the featured article.

• Johannes Czernin, MD, Named Editor-in-Chief for "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine"

  Jan 3, 2017 — Johannes Czernin, MD, has assumed leadership of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine" (JNM), the educational flagship publication of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). Czernin is a professor of molecular and medical pharmacology and the chief of the Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

• SNMMI Develops USP Recommendations for Compounded Sterile Radiopharmaceuticals

  Dec 14, 2016 — SNMMI has developed USP Recommendations for Compounded Sterile Radiopharmaceuticals.

• 3D-Printed Kidney Phantoms Aid Nuclear Medicine Dosing Calibration

  Dec 5, 2016 — In nuclear medicine, the goal is to keep radiation exposure at a minimum, while obtaining quality images. Optimal dosing for individual patients can be difficult to determine. That’s where 3D-printed organ models of varying size and shape could be of great use. In a study reported in the December issue of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine," researchers at the University of Würzburg in Germany focused on kidneys to demonstrate that low-cost 3D printing techniques can be used for quantitative SPECT/CT imaging.

• Novel Anti-PSMA Imaging Agent Quickly Identifies Prostate Cancer Lesions

  Dec 2, 2016 — New research demonstrates that a novel imaging agent can quickly and accurately detect metastasis of prostate cancer, even in areas where detection has previously been difficult. Published in the December issue of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine," the Phase 1 dose-escalation study of Zr-89-desferrioxamine-IAB2M (Zr-89-Df-IAB2M), an anti-PSMA minibody, in patients with metastatic prostate cancer shows its effectiveness in targeting both bone and soft tissue lesions.

• SNMMI President Sally Schwarz Serves on The Lancet Oncology’s Moonshot Commission

  Dec 1, 2016 — SNMMI President Sally Schwarz, MS, RPh, BCNP, is a co-commissioner on The Lancet Oncology’s Moonshot Commission, which was launched in response to the White House Cancer Moonshot Initiative. The Commission will deeply explore the underlying cancer burden and research landscape in the U.S. and propose specific research and funding priorities to help accelerate Moonshot plans. Schwarz is providing the Commission with insight on the key role of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging in the battle to defeat cancer.

• ASNC, IAC and SNMMI Call for Field to Focus on Radiation Dose Optimization in Nuclear Cardiology

  Nov 17, 2016 — Working in concert, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC)’s Nuclear/PET accreditation division and the Society of Nuclear Medicine in Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) are mandating optimized radiation doses in conjunction with the nuclear cardiology studies (i.e., myocardial perfusion imaging) performed throughout the United States and beyond.

• Maria De León, MD, Advocate for Parkinson’s Community, Joins SNMMI Patient Advocacy Advisory Committee

  Nov 10, 2016 — The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging is pleased to welcome Maria De León, MD, a neurologist, to its Patient Advocacy Advisory Committee. De León is living with Parkinson’s and is committed to increasing awareness of the disease, raising funds for research, and advocating for both patients and their caregivers.

• Ready, Set, Jet with CTN

  Nov 9, 2016 — In addition to providing cutting-edge education at the SNMMI Mid-Winter and Annual meetings, CTN frequently presents at international conferences. Recent presentations were given at the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine in Nagoya, Japan, and the Theranostics World Congress in Melbourne, Australia.

• VA Working to Resolve Issue of Qualified NMTs Not Being Allowed to Perform Diagnostic CT Services

  Nov 9, 2016 — SNMMI sent informal comments to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in October asking that the VA modify its qualification standards for the practice of diagnostic CT. The VA has responded that it is aware of this issue and is actively working toward a resolution. It agrees that NMTs with certification should be able to perform advanced CT procedures.

• Updated NMT Scope of Practice and Performance Standards

  Nov 9, 2016 — Minimal changes were made to the NMT Scope of Practice and Performance Standards approved in September 2016. The main change is clarification of SNMMI-TS support of the NMTCB(CT) credential. Efforts are currently underway to include MRI in future revisions of the NMT Scope of Practice and Performance Standards.

• WFNMB Selects New Leadership and 2022 Congress Venue

  Nov 7, 2016 — The World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology (WFNMB) General Assembly announced election results for the new executive leadership team and 2022 Congress venue.

• PET Imaging Visualizes Hard-to-Diagnose Cardiac Amyloidosis

  Nov 1, 2016 — Researchers at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, have demonstrated that cardiac amyloidosis (abnormal deposits of proteins in the heart), which is notoriously difficult to diagnose, can be visualized noninvasively with positron emission tomography (PET) using the radiotracer fluorine-18 (F-18)-florbetaben. The study is published in the November issue of "The Journal of Nuclear Medicine."

• Free online lecture & case review: Clinical Diagnosis and Neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s Disease

  Oct 31, 2016 — SNMMI has just released a new two-hour online lecture and case review on "Clinical Diagnosis and Neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s Disease." This complimentary program offers two hours of CE credit for both physicians and technologists.

• PET Image Series Wins Minnie Award for Best Radiology Image

  Oct 26, 2016 — The Best Radiology Image in this year's Minnies awards, recognizing excellence in radiology, examines two new PET radiotracers, gallium-68 PSMA-11 and gallium-68 RM2, to determine their effectiveness in identifying rising levels of PSA, which signals prostate cancer recurrence. The figure was shown at the 2016 SNMMI Annual Meeting and included in the highlights lecture.

• Medicare Physician Compare Period Open Through November 11, 2016

  Oct 17, 2016 — Physician Compare allows clinicians and group practices to preview their performance scores for select 2015 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) measures and Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) for PQRS measures before they are publicly reported on Physician Compare later this year.

• CMS Releases Final Rule for MACRA

  Oct 17, 2016 — The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its final rule for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). MACRA ends the Sustainable Growth Rate formula for updates to the physician fee schedule, which threatened clinicians participating in Medicare with potential payment cliffs for 13 years. It replaces it with the Quality Payment Program, which rewards the delivery of high-quality patient care.

• SNMMI Submits Comments on FDA Compounding Draft Guidance

  Oct 13, 2016 — SNMMI has submitted comments to FDA regarding the Draft Guidance for Industry: Insanitary Conditions at Compounding Facilities.

• SNMMI Submits Comments to CMS Regarding CY 2017 Proposed Rules for HOPPS and MPFS

  Sep 1, 2016 — The Society recently submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on two proposed rules.

• Imaging Drug Development - FDA Regulatory Issues Presentation Available to Members

  Aug 1, 2016 — The society has been given permission by the Food and Drug Administration to share the "Imaging Drug Development - FDA Regulatory Issues" presentation from SNMMI's 2016 Annual Meeting.

• SNMMI Presents at NRC Stakeholders Meeting

  Jul 27, 2016 — The Society recently presented at a high-level stakeholders meeting on July 26, 2016.