Latest news with #PositronEmissionTomography
Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Over 500 nuclear medicine facilities available in govt, private sector: Jitendra Singh
New Delhi: More than 500 nuclear medicine facilities are available in the government and private sectors, Union Minister of State for Department of Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh informed the Parliament on Wednesday. In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Singh shared information on nuclear energy's potential to be applied in the health sector for advanced treatment of various ailments. 'Nuclear medicine can be practiced in both diagnostics and therapeutics. In India, Single Photon Emission Computerised Tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Computerised Tomography (CT) are the devices through which diagnostic nuclear medicine is practiced,' Singh said. 'These help in staging, restaging, and response evaluation of cancer. There is availability of nuclear medicine facilities in the country in both the government and private sectors. There are more than 500 such facilities available,' he added. Nuclear medicine imaging provides unique information by helping doctors view how organs are functioning, which is different from X-rays or CT scans that show only anatomical structure. Further, Singh shared that the government has taken several initiatives to augment research and development of nuclear medicine in the country. 'R&D is ongoing in radioisotope production, purification, and development of new technologies to ensure an enhanced and uninterrupted supply of medical radioisotopes in the country," the MoS said. This includes several indigenously produced radiopharmaceutical products developed at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The products have also been launched for applications like radiation synovectomy, therapy of neuroendocrine tumours, breast cancer, bone pain palliation, liver cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Singh said. "BARC regularly produces radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals and supplies them through the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) to various nuclear medicine centres across India, enabling broader availability of diagnostic and therapeutic services, including in rural and underserved areas," Singh said. In addition, Tata Memorial Centre, an aided institute under the aegis of the Department of Atomic Energy, has established P Ramaiah Naidu Shodhika -- an advanced Nuclear Medicine Research and Treatment unit in the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) in Mumbai. The facility has 41 hot beds, one of the largest therapeutic nuclear medicine units in the world and was inaugurated in 2023. It has state-of-the-art facilities for nuclear medicine and basic research. TMC has also established the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Centre at Varanasi, UP. There are 2 PET CT, 1 SPECT CT, High Dose Radioiodine Therapy, and a Theranotic Facility available for the use of nuclear medicine and diagnostic purposes, the Minister informed.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Cancer care in crisis: PGI's slow procurement leaves patients in fix
Chandigarh: A year-long wait for a crucial cancer diagnosis tool, the Gallium-68 (Ga-68) isotope generator, has crippled the PGI's nuclear medicine department, forcing an increasing number of desperate cancer patients to seek costly tests at private centres. The delay, exacerbated by the 'Made in India' exemption clause in procurement policies, not only caused immense financial burden on families but also directly jeopardised timely cancer staging and treatment decisions. The Ga-68 generator, a vital component for Ga DOTA scans used in staging solid tumours, particularly neuroendocrine tumours, was out of stock for a few years, despite each generator lasting only six months. This critical scan helps doctors determine if cancer is localised or has spread, directly influencing life-saving treatment plans such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. The scan costs Rs 7,000 in PGI, which is almost four times more in a private centre. When PGI authorities were contacted, they did not respond. Adding to the woes, sources within the department revealed that even essential chemical reagents required for the cyclotron – which produces isotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment – were in short supply. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo In fact, some doctors are using their personal "learning resources allowance" to procure these vital chemicals. "We have no dearth of funding for patient utility," said a senior PGI doctor on condition of anonymity, "but the procurement process is so agonisingly slow that it poses a significant risk to cancer patients. Every day counts in cancer diagnosis and treatment." The core of the problem, according to PGI officials, lies in the 'Made in India' exemption clause, which, while well-intentioned, often snarls the procurement of essential medical equipment and reagents in bureaucratic red tape. This left the PGI struggling to acquire even basic radiopharmaceuticals like Oxygen-18 enriched water, crucial for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans in cancer detection.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
BLDE Society to build 100-bed cancer hospital in Vijayapura
BLDE Society will build a 100-bed cancer hospital in Vijayapura, Minister and BLDE Society chairman M.B. Patil said recently. He was speaking after laying the foundation for the cancer hospital on the premises of BLDE Society Hospital. 'Now, patients have to travel to far-off places like Mumbai, Bengaluru or Hubballi. We are planning to provide modern treatment with state-of-the-art technology. The building will come up in 18 months. We hope to start the hospital once the building is completed,' he said. Specialist doctor Shekar Patil will lead the medical team. The hospital will have facilities for radiotherapy, PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography), nuclear medicine, accommodation for patients, cancer surgery (Onco Surgery), cancer medicine and others. BLDE deemed to be university Pro Chancellors Y. M. Jayaraj and Arun Inamdar, Vice-Chancellor R.S. Mudhol, Registrar R.V. Kulkarni, principal Arvind Patil, hospital superintendent Rajesh Honnutagi and others were present.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
IISc researchers develop least invasive method to locate tumour cells
Indian Institute of Science Positron Emission Tomography biocompatible small molecule Researchers from the(IISc) have developed a minimally invasive and cost-effective technique to locate tumour cells in the human to the researchers, tumor cells have higher metabolic activity compared to healthy tissue and consequently consume a significant amount of glucose. The current diagnostic technique used to locate tumors,(PET), exploits this inject patients with radioactive tracers, which accumulate at the tumour site and help pinpoint it. However, PET is expensive and poses the risk of radiation accumulation in case of repeated scans. Researchers from the Department of Bioengineering have developed athat can be used to visualise tumour sites with high metabolic activity this method, a near-infrared (NIR) laser beam is shone on light-absorbing molecules (chromophores) sent to the target region, which then expand, creating a pressure change. The change can be picked up as an auditory signal, and analysing these signals allows scientists to construct 3D images of the target method is particularly useful for pinpointing superficial tumours.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
European Commission Grants Orphan Drug Designation to Florbetaben (18F) for Diagnosis of ATTR Amyloidosis
Florbetaben (18F) has been granted Orphan drug designation for the diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis Florbetaben (18F) previously received orphan drug designation as a diagnostic agent for the management of amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis in both the EU and US The efficacy of florbetaben (18F) in diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis is being evaluated in an ongoing multi-center Phase 3 study BERLIN, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Molecular Imaging GmbH (LMI) announces today that florbetaben (18F) has been granted orphan designation by the European Commission for the diagnosis of Transthyretin (ATTR) Amyloidosis. Systemic amyloidosis is a rare group of complex diseases caused by protein misfolding and subsequent deposition in tissues, resulting in progressive organ damage. ATTR amyloidosis appears to be the most common form of amyloidosis, with incidence rates rising, likely due to prior underdiagnosis of the disease. Growing awareness of ATTR amyloidosis among cardiologists is improving recognition and diagnosis, allowing patients to access life-saving therapies. Despite the observed rise in the prevalence and incidence of cardiac ATTR amyloidosis – and its high prevalence among patients with heart failure – the overall frequency in the general population remains below the threshold for orphan drug designation (five cases per ten thousand inhabitants of newly diagnosed patients). As a result, EMA granted orphan drug designation to florbetaben (18F) as a diagnostic agent for ATTR amyloidosis. Florbetaben (18F) was initially developed and approved for the detection of neuritic amyloid plaques in the brains of patients with cognitive decline. Preliminary data suggest that florbetaben (18F) may also detect and quantify ATTR amyloid deposits in the heart and other organs using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, thereby supporting diagnosis of the condition. The current multi-center Phase 3 trial (NCT05184088) aims to further validate florbetaben (18F)'s efficacy in the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis, including the ATTR subtype. "The orphan drug designation for florbetaben (18F) will support our efforts to validate this tracer for the diagnosis of both AL and ATTR cardiac amyloidosis. With the approval of several new treatment options, especially for ATTR cardiac amyloidosis, fast and reliable diagnosis of the disease becomes even more important." said Andrew Stephens, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of LMI. About florbetaben (18F)Neuraceq® (florbetaben (18F)) is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the brain to estimate β-amyloid neuritic plaque density in adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other causes of cognitive decline. Neuraceq has been approved for routine clinical use in this indication by FDA, EMA and MHRA, and has local regulatory approval in other countries such as Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan. Florbetaben (18F) is currently under investigation as a targeted radiopharmaceutical for the detection of amyloid deposits in the heart and other organs of patients with cardiac and systemic amyloidosis of AL and ATTR type. Most Common Adverse ReactionsIn clinical trials including demented and non-demented subjects, the most frequently observed adverse drug reactions in 872 subjects with 1090 florbetaben (18F) administrations were injection/application site erythema (1.7%), injection site irritation (1.1%), and injection site pain (3.4%). About Life Molecular Imaging (LMI)Life Molecular Imaging GmbH, together with its affiliates in the UK and US (LMI) is a radiopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and offering novel cutting-edge PET radiopharmaceuticals for imaging of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. The organization strives to be a leader in the molecular imaging field. Our mission is to pioneer innovative PET products that improve early detection and characterization of chronic and life-threatening diseases, leading to better therapeutic outcomes and improved quality of life. By advancing novel PET radiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging, LMI is focusing on a key field of modern medicine. To learn more about LMI, please visit LMI, a member of the Life Healthcare group of companies, is being acquired by Lantheus Holdings, Inc. For more information about the pending acquisition, please visit For media queriesBrittany Hahn | Marketing Communications Manager | Life Molecular ImagingTel: +1.484.735.2840 | For scientific information Iris Hardewig | Clinical Development| Life Molecular ImagingTel. +49 151 14569896| View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Life Molecular Imaging Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
