Reston, VA (November 6, 2026)—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.
Modeling Reveals Overlooked Factors in PSMA Radioligand Distribution
Modeling of PSMA-targeted radioligands revealed that these cancer treatments may remain in healthy tissues longer than previously estimated. Accounting for this retention increased estimates of radiation exposure to organs without PSMA, particularly the bone marrow, which produces blood cells. The findings highlight the importance of accurately predicting where these treatments travel and remain in the body.
PET Tracer Detects Kidney Fibrosis Through Molecular Imaging
A new PET tracer targeting platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) was evaluated for detecting kidney fibrosis, a major driver of chronic kidney disease progression. In two mouse models, tracer uptake was significantly higher in fibrotic than nonfibrotic kidneys and correlated with PDGFRβ expression, demonstrating target specificity.
EGFR-Targeted Radiotheranostics Show Promise Against Liver Cancer
A new radiotheranostic approach targets epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is overexpressed in many hepatocellular carcinomas. In mouse models, 89Zr-labeled panitumumab enabled tumor imaging, while its 225Ac-labeled counterpart produced substantial tumor regression and significantly prolonged survival without clinically meaningful liver or kidney toxicity.
Clinical Trial Evaluates CXCR4-Targeted Therapy for Acute Leukemia
A first-in-human clinical trial is evaluating 177Lu–labeled pentixather as a treatment for relapsed or refractory acute leukemia, including acute myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The phase 1/2 study uses dose escalation to determine the maximum tolerated dose, with PET/MRI also exploring whether imaging can predict treatment response.
International Survey Identifies Gaps in Patient Guidance for PSMA Therapy
An international survey of 102 theranostic centers across 23 countries examined patient instructions for 177Lu–labeled PSMA radiopharmaceutical therapy. Although centers largely agreed on pretreatment procedures and therapy protocols, recommendations for posttreatment radiation precautions varied considerably, particularly regarding distancing, transportation, household activities, and social interactions.
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About JNM and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM) is the world’s leading nuclear medicine, molecular imaging and theranostics journal, accessed more than 90 million times each year by practitioners around the globe, providing them with the information they need to advance this rapidly expanding field. Current and past issues of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine can be found online at http://jnm.snmjournals.org.
JNM is published by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), 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. For more information, visit www.snmmi.org.
Journal
Journal of Nuclear Medicine