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April 11, 2013

News for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging professionals

The news summaries appearing in SNMMI SmartBrief are based on original information from multiple internet sources and are produced by SmartBrief, Inc., an independent e-mail newsletter publisher. The items below are not selected or reviewed by SNMMI prior to publication. Questions and comments may be directed to SmartBrief at snmmi@smartbrief.com.

Top Story

FDG-PET sheds light on survival in non-small cell lung cancer
Positive results on an FDG-PET scan may indicate poorer survival in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, according to findings presented at a cancer research meeting. Patients with the positive PET scan showed a median five-year survival of 67%, while survival for those with negative results was 80%. The method may help determine which patients should have adjuvant chemotherapy, researchers said. MedPage Today (free registration) (4/10)

Clinical News & Research

PET/CT helps gauge patient response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy
A study presented at a radiology meeting found that FDG-PET/CT has the potential to predict patient response following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Researchers said the results suggest the assessment could be useful for guiding treatment decisions. The researchers used Sinn scores and two algorithms to measure patient response. An 88% change in maximum standardized uptake value is the appropriate cutoff to distinguish lesions that respond to treatment, they reported. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (4/10)

Industry Report

Cell>Point reports promising findings for 99mTc-EC-G
Radiopharmaceutical firm Cell>Point said findings from Phase I and IIa trials were promising for its technetium-99m-labeled ethylenedicysteine-glucosamine, an imaging agent used in diagnosing coronary artery disease. The company is planning a Phase IIb study to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the agent in identifying ischemia in patients at rest who have coronary artery disease. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (4/10)

News from the Field

AHRA backs breast density advocacy effort
AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management has announced its support for the Are You Dense Advocacy group, which aims to standardize the notification of breast density information. Fifteen breast density measures have been introduced this year in states, and a federal breast density bill is also expected to be revived, according to AHRA. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (4/10)

International Developments

Researchers create gold nanoparticles for biokinetic studies
Researchers in Germany have developed radiolabeled gold nanoparticles for application in studies designed to evaluate how the particles function in biological systems. The gold radioisotope has a 186-day half-life, which makes it useful for long-term biokinetic studies, according to the report published in the Journal of Nanoparticle Research. Researchers said the nanoparticles can be stable for several hours, meaning they are useful for risk assessments. ChemicalWatch.com (free content) (4/10)

Health Policy

FDA seeks input on effects of extreme weather on medtech
The FDA is accepting comments through May 10 on the possible effects of natural disasters and extreme weather on the following: medical devices already being used in patient care; unused devices, parts or accessories; and manufacturing plants. A public meeting will also be held today to explore ways to better address manufacturing challenges tied to extreme weather. Clinica (subscription required) (4/8)

Proposal to repeal device tax gets enough support to clear House
A bill that would revoke the medical device tax has garnered its 218th co-sponsor, giving it enough support to clear the House. "Last year, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation repealing the tax, and I'm confident we'll do so again," Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn. said, adding that "it's time for the U.S. Senate to follow the House's lead, vote to repeal this onerous tax, and ensure the continued leadership of American medical device manufacturing." Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.)/Hot Dish Politics blog (4/10)

Advancing Health Care

Feds propose extended safe harbor for EHR donations
CMS and the HHS Office of Inspector General have released two proposed rules meant to provide a three-year extension of the safe harbor program for EHR system donations, pushing the end date to Dec. 31, 2016. The proposed rules would also eliminate an e-prescribing requirement and revise language regarding qualifying EHRs. EHR Intelligence (4/9) , Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (4/9)

From SNMMI

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--Emily Dickinson,
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