Reston, VA (November 7, 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.
Mapping Radiation Effects at the Nephron Level
Researchers developed a detailed 3D kidney model to study how radiation distributes unevenly across different nephron types and substructures during radiopharmaceutical therapy. Using advanced simulations, they showed large dose variations between kidney regions, highlighting how some parts—especially deeper proximal tubules—receive significantly higher radiation exposure than others.
Tumor Volume Changes Predict Outcomes in PSMA Therapy
In men with advanced prostate cancer receiving 177Lu-PSMA therapy, researchers analyzed how tumor uptake and volume changes on PSMA PET relate to survival. Across 124 patients, greater increases in tumor volume and new lesions strongly predicted poorer outcomes, while changes in tumor uptake alone showed little prognostic value.
New Targeted Radionuclide Therapy Shows Promise Against CD44v6-Positive Cancers
Researchers evaluated a new cancer therapy, ¹⁷⁷Lu-AKIR001, designed to target the tumor-associated antigen CD44v6. In preclinical studies, the treatment showed strong, dose-dependent tumor responses and minimal effects on healthy tissues. Biodistribution, safety, and imaging studies supported its potential for clinical use in CD44v6-positive solid cancers.
PSMA PET Imaging Shows Potential for Detecting Liver Cancer
A new study explored the use of ¹⁸F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT to image hepatocellular carcinoma. The tracer showed strong uptake in most patients, offering clear tumor visualization and suggesting potential for targeted therapy in advanced cases. However, PSMA expression did not predict patient outcomes, highlighting the need for further research.
Extending PSMA Radioligand Therapy Shows Promise in Advanced Prostate Cancer
Continuing or restarting ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA therapy beyond the standard six cycles may offer added benefits for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Evidence shows favorable safety, meaningful prostate-specific antigen declines, and extended survival in selected cases. Ongoing research aims to refine patient selection, manage cumulative toxicity, and standardize treatment approaches.
Addressing AI "Hallucinations" in Nuclear Medicine Imaging
Artificial intelligence–generated content is transforming nuclear medicine imaging, improving image quality and efficiency. Yet, AI "hallucinations"—plausible but incorrect outputs—pose risks to diagnostic accuracy and clinical trust. The new DREAM report outlines definitions, examples, detection methods, and mitigation strategies to guide safe, reliable integration of AI in medical imaging practice.
Early PSMA PET/CT Scanning Influences Prostate Cancer Treatment Decisions
A prospective trial of 230 men with suspected prostate cancer found that adding PSMA PET/CT to standard MRI imaging changed treatment plans for one in three patients. The scan improved detection of metastases and tumor details, leading to refined surgical and radiation strategies, particularly in intermediate- and high-risk disease.
New Pelvic Lymph Node Map Aims to Improve Prostate Cancer Care
The Pelvic Rosetta Classification project created a standardized, landmark-based map of pelvic lymph nodes to enhance collaboration between imaging experts and urologists treating prostate cancer. Using expert consensus and PSMA PET/CT validation, the system demonstrated fair reproducibility and strong agreement for well-defined regions, supporting clearer communication in clinical practice.
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