Reston, VA (June 13, 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.
A Powerful New Approach to Treating HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Scientists are testing a targeted radiation treatment using 225Ac to fight aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer. In preclinical models, this three-step therapy showed strong tumor-killing effects and minimal side effects, offering new hope for hard-to-treat cases. The study focuses on finding the safest, most effective dosing strategy.
Smarter Radiation Therapies for Tiny Cancer Spread
Researchers modeled how tiny clusters of cancer cells respond to targeted alpha radiation using antibody and liposome "cocktails." They found that combining these agents—and giving one before the other—improves drug penetration and effectiveness, potentially offering a more powerful way to eliminate early, hidden cancer spread.
Imaging Boosts Survival in Recurrent Prostate Cancer
A Danish study found that men with recurrent prostate cancer lived longer when their treatment was guided by PSMA PET/CT imaging before salvage radiotherapy. This advanced scan helped doctors better target therapy, leading to higher survival and lower recurrence rates compared to those who didn't receive the scan.
A Dual-Action Agent Targets Prostate Cancer
Scientists are testing a new radioactive compound, 134Ce-PSMA-617, that both treats and tracks prostate cancer. It binds to tumor cells, delivers cancer-killing energy, and allows PET imaging. In mice, it slowed tumor growth and significantly extended survival, showing promise as a powerful tool for prostate cancer therapy.
Two Cancer Scans in One Session
Researchers have developed a new PET scan protocol that allows two different cancer-tracking tracers to be imaged in a single session. This dual-tracer method, made possible by advanced PET technology, could provide a more complete picture of tumor metabolism while saving patients time and reducing radiation exposure.
A Bright New Way to Spot Skin Cancer Early
Scientists are testing a glowing topical agent, PARPi-FL, that highlights skin cancer cells without a biopsy. In preclinical studies, it quickly penetrated skin and lit up basal cell carcinoma, helping distinguish it from harmless look-alikes. This noninvasive method could make basal cell carcinoma diagnosis faster, easier, and safer.
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