Reston, VA (September 19, 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.
Faster PET Scans Show Promise for Detecting Liver Inflammation
Researchers tested whether shortened PET/CT scan protocols could measure liver inflammation linked to metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Involving 82 participants, the study compared 10- and 15-minute dynamic scans with the standard one-hour protocol, finding that shorter scans produced similar results for identifying liver inflammation and MASH.
New AI Tool Combines PET Scans for Deeper Disease Insights
Scientists developed PUMA, an open-source framework that aligns multiple PET/CT scans to integrate data from different tracers. Tested in 114 subjects, PUMA used AI-based segmentation and advanced registration to create composite images, preserving accuracy while enabling richer, multidimensional views of disease biology for improved diagnosis and treatment planning.
FAPI PET/CT Sheds Light on Liver Fibrosis in PSC
A study explored FAPI PET/CT in 18 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and/or cholangiocarcinoma (CCC). Results showed elevated fibroblast activation protein signals in both PSC and CCC, with distinct uptake patterns in PSC. Findings suggest potential for monitoring PSC activity and liver function, though CCC detection remains challenging.
New Imaging Technique Enhances Breast Cancer Surgery
In a trial of 45 women, handheld multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) safely imaged breast tumors before and after surgery. MSOT distinguished cancer from benign tissue using hemoglobin signals, identified sentinel lymph nodes, and caused no adverse effects. The fast, noninvasive method shows promise for improving breast-conserving surgery.
Imaging Inflammation After Heart Attack May Predict Recovery
In 49 patients with acute myocardial infarction, PET scans targeting CXCR4—a marker of inflammation—were performed alongside cardiac MRI and perfusion imaging. Larger areas of CXCR4 activity were linked to worse initial and follow-up heart function. Findings suggest CXCR4 imaging could help predict recovery and guide personalized therapies.
AI Improves Imaging for Advanced Prostate Cancer Therapy
Researchers developed an automated deep learning workflow to analyze PET and SPECT scans in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer undergoing LuPSMA therapy. Trained on over 1,500 scans, the method achieved high accuracy in mapping disease extent and tracer uptake, offering a reliable tool to aid treatment planning and prognostication.
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