Reston, VA (February 13, 2026)—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.
Targeted Radiation Therapy Shows Promise in Early Colorectal Cancer Research
Scientists are testing a new targeted radiation approach for colorectal cancer using paired lead isotopes and engineered antibodies. In preclinical studies, the therapy precisely delivered cancer-killing radiation while limiting exposure to healthy tissues. Imaging tools tracked how the treatment moved through the body and helped researchers evaluate dosing and safety.
Radioactive Trastuzumab Explored as Targeted Therapy for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
A radioactive form of trastuzumab is being investigated for its ability to target HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Early laboratory and mouse studies evaluated how the treatment moves through the body, how effectively tumors absorb it, optimal dosing levels, potential side effects, and how its tumor-shrinking performance compares with current HER2-targeted therapies.
Imaging Clues May Help Predict Response to Targeted Prostate Cancer Therapy
Researchers analyzed specialized PET/CT scans to see whether imaging patterns before treatment could forecast how patients with advanced prostate cancer respond to targeted radioactive therapy. By comparing visual scores and quantitative tumor measurements, the study explored which scan-based indicators best relate to treatment response, disease progression, and patient survival outcomes.
First Human Study Tests New Brain Scan Tracer for Tracking Microtubule Activity
Scientists tested a new PET brain scan tracer that measures microtubule activity, structures crucial for neuron health and cognition. In a small first-in-human study, volunteers completed repeated scans to evaluate consistency, regional brain measurements, scan length effects, and whether shorter or simplified imaging approaches could reliably capture microtubule dynamics accurately.
Faster Brain PET Scans May Simplify Synapse Imaging in Neurologic Research
Streamlined analysis methods were evaluated for a PET tracer that measures synaptic density and brain blood flow. Using data from healthy volunteers, the work tested simplified models, reference regions, and shorter scan times to determine whether reliable measurements of brain function could be obtained more efficiently in future neurologic imaging studies.
Advanced Imaging May Improve Outcomes in High-Risk Prostate Cancer Surgery
A nationwide real-world study compared advanced PSMA PET/CT scans with conventional imaging before prostate cancer surgery. Researchers analyzed recurrence-free survival and overall survival among men with high-risk disease, exploring whether more precise preoperative staging influences long-term outcomes across diverse patient groups and regional clinical practice patterns nationwide.
Trial Tests Repeat Targeted Radiation Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer
A new clinical trial is evaluating whether patients with advanced prostate cancer who once responded well to targeted radioactive therapy can safely benefit from receiving it again after relapse. Researchers will monitor survival, side effects, symptom changes, scan results, and prostate-specific antigen levels to assess treatment response and tolerability.
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