Reston, VA (May 23, 2025)—New research has been published ahead-of-print by The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM). JNM is published by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to advancing nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and theranostics—precision medicine that allows diagnosis and treatment to be tailored to individual patients in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Summaries of the newly published research articles are provided below.
Unmasking PRRT: A Closer Look at Cancer Therapy Dosimetry
This study explores how peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) impacts cancer cells by developing advanced 2D and 3D models for realistic dose measurement. Findings show traditional methods may underestimate actual radiation exposure by up to 90 percent, revealing crucial insights into the complexity and effectiveness of cancer radiotherapy.
New Hope in Prostate Cancer: Targeted Therapy Shows Promise After Chemotherapy
In a clinical trial for advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, a targeted radiation treatment, ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617, significantly outperformed standard care in reducing cancer markers and slowing disease progression. Though the study ended early, results suggest this therapy may become a powerful tool after initial chemotherapy, with minimal serious side effects.
Targeted Radiation Boosts Survival in Colorectal Liver Cancer
This study of patients with colorectal cancer that spread to the liver found that higher doses of targeted radiation using ⁹⁰Y glass microspheres significantly improved treatment response and survival. A tumor dose of at least 152 Gy was key, with even better outcomes observed at 203 Gy or more.
Second Round of Bone-Targeted Therapy Shows Promise for Prostate Cancer
A study of men with advanced prostate cancer found that retreatment with ²²³Ra-dichloride, a bone-targeting radiation therapy, was generally safe and well tolerated. Many patients saw a biochemical response and extended survival, especially those with strong initial treatment results and good overall health at the time of retreatment.
Tumor Volume on PET Scans Predicts Outcomes in Rare Digestive Cancers
A large study found that the size of tumors visible on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans—known as metabolic tumor volume (MTV)—can predict survival in patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Those with higher MTV had shorter survival, highlighting the potential of MTV as a key tool in guiding treatment decisions.
Targeted Radiation Offers Hope for Bone Metastases in Neuroendocrine Tumors
This study shows that ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE therapy can effectively manage bone metastases in patients with neuroendocrine tumors, easing pain and improving survival. Even with extensive skeletal involvement, treatment was well tolerated. Patients receiving higher radiation doses had significantly better outcomes, making dose optimization a key to maximizing benefit.
New Imaging Agent Shows Promise for Neuroendocrine Tumor Detection
A new PET imaging tracer, ¹⁸F-SITATE, may offer a more practical and accurate alternative to traditional methods for detecting neuroendocrine tumors. This study found strong alignment between scan results and tumor biology, suggesting ¹⁸F-SITATE could improve staging, treatment planning, and access through its longer shelf life and lower production costs.
Toward Personalized Therapy: Predicting Kidney Dose in Neuroendocrine Tumor Treatment
This international study shows that pre-treatment PET scans may help predict how much radiation the kidneys will absorb during ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE therapy for neuroendocrine tumors. While prediction accuracy varied, results support the potential for safer, more personalized treatment planning—highlighting the need for standardized imaging and dosimetry methods across centers.
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