Abstract
The field of nuclear medicine will rely increasingly on the discovery, proper evaluation, and clinical use of molecular imaging probes and on collaborations. Collaborations will include new initiatives among experts already involved in the field and with researchers, technologists, and clinicians from different areas of science and medicine. This article serves to highlight some of the opportunities in which molecular imaging and nuclear medicine in conjunction with probe development, new imaging technologies, and multidisciplinary collaborations can have a significant impact on health care and basic science from the perspective of a person involved in probe development. The article emphasizes breast cancer, but the concepts are readily applied to other areas of medicine and medical research.
Footnotes
Learning Objectives: On successful completion of this activity, participants should be able to describe (1) at least 3 emerging areas of probe development; (2) the advantages and limitations of dedicated imaging scanners and hybrid imaging probes; (3) the skills needed to develop, translate, and utilize novel molecular imaging probes, and the challenges associated with this process in the current economic and regulatory environments.
Financial Disclosure: The author of this article has indicated that he serves as a consultant or advisor for Pfizer, GE Healthcare, and the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
CME Credit: SNM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing education for physicians. SNM designates each JNM continuing education article for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. For CE credit, participants can access this activity through the SNM Web site (http://www.snm.org/ce_online) through August 2011.
- © 2010 by Society of Nuclear Medicine