Highlight selection of radiochemistry and radiopharmacy developments by editorial board.

Background: The Editorial Board of EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry releases a biannual highlight commentary to update the readership on trends in the field of radiopharmaceutical development.

Main Body: This selection of highlights provides commentary on 19 different topics selected by each coauthoring Editorial Board member addressing a variety of aspects ranging from novel radiochemistry to first-in-human application of novel radiopharmaceuticals.

Conclusion: Trends in radiochemistry and radiopharmacy are highlighted.

Evaluating immunotherapeutic outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer with a cholesterol radiotracer in mice.

Evaluating the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains an unmet challenge in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The requirement for cholesterol in the activation and function of T cells led us to hypothesize that quantifying cellular accumulation of this molecule could distinguish successful from ineffective checkpoint immunotherapy. To analyze accumulation of cholesterol by T cells in the immune microenvironment of breast cancer, we leveraged the PET radiotracer, eFNP-59.

Predicting efficacy of immunotherapy in mice with triple negative breast cancer using a cholesterol PET radiotracer.

Predicting the response to cancer immunotherapy remains an unmet challenge in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and other malignancies. T cells, the major target of current checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies, accumulate cholesterol during activation to support proliferation and signaling. The requirement of cholesterol for anti-tumor functions of T cells led us to hypothesize that quantifying cellular accumulation of this molecule could distinguish successful from ineffective checkpoint immunotherapy.

Guidelines for the content and format of PET brain data in publications and archives: A consensus paper.

It is a growing concern that outcomes of neuroimaging studies often cannot be replicated. To counteract this, the magnetic resonance (MR) neuroimaging community has promoted acquisition standards and created data sharing platforms, based on a consensus on how to organize and share MR neuroimaging data. Here, we take a similar approach to positron emission tomography (PET) data.

Gallium-68: methodology and novel radiotracers for positron emission tomography (2012-2017).

Commercial Ge/Ga generators provide a means to produce positron emission tomography agents on site without use of a cyclotron. This development has led to a rapid growth of academic literature and patents ongallium-68 (Ga). As Ga positron emission tomography agents usually involve a targeting moiety attached to a metal chelator, the development lends itself to the investigation of theragnostic applications; the Ga-based diagnostic is utilized to determine if the biological target is present and, if so, a therapeutic isotope (e.

Fluorine-18 patents (2009-2015). Part 2: new radiochemistry.

Fluorine-18 ((18)F) is one of the most common positron-emitting radionuclides used in the synthesis of positron emission tomography radiotracers due to its ready availability, convenient half-life and outstanding imaging properties. In Part 1 of this review, we presented the first analysis of patents issued for novel radiotracers labeled with fluorine-18. In Part 2, we follow-up with a focus on patents issued for new radiochemistry methodology using fluorine-18 issued between January 2009 and December 2015.

Current imaging strategies in rheumatoid arthritis.

As remission has now become a realistic therapeutic goal in the clinical management of RA due to the introduction and widespread adoption of biologic agents, there is a greater need for earlier diagnoses and objective methods for evaluating disease activity and response to treatment. In this capacity, advanced imaging strategies are assuming an expansive clinical role, particularly as they take advantage of newer imaging technologies and the shift toward imaging at the molecular level. Molecular imaging utilizes target-specific probes to non-invasively visualize molecular, cellular, and physiological perturbations in response to the underlying pathology.