Molecular Imaging Pharmaceuticals

Medical imaging is a non-invasive means of obtaining a picture of the internal structure and workings of the human body.

Currently, the most common methods of imaging disease provide images of anatomy and include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), fluoroscopy, Computed Axial Tomography (CAT Scan or CT Scan), X-ray, and ultrasound. These methods have limited utility in patients at early stages of disease when gross anatomical changes are not yet present, in patients who have undergone surgical procedures to treat their disease and anatomy is difficult to assess, or in patients who have systemic disease where the precise locations are unknown.

Molecular imaging differs from anatomical medical imaging in that radioactive drugs are used to detect disease through visualization of physiology and biochemistry, enabling physicians better insight into the disease process. This is markedly different from anatomical imaging and has opened up additional applications for detecting the presence, location, and quantity of disease throughout the body. Such images provide vital information related to the diagnosis and extent of disease, prognosis and, ultimately, therapeutic management options.

Molecular imaging radiopharmaceuticals are targeted radioactive substances that facilitate the visualization of subtle changes in biochemical and biological processes associated with disease progression. The expression of distinct proteins of diseased cells offers the opportunity to diagnose and characterize disease by probing the biochemical composition and phenotypic identity of the diseased tissue in contrast to normal tissues.

Molecular Insight uses radiolabeled small molecules that recognize specific receptors, enzymes and proteins in the body that are altered during the evolution of disease. After administration to a patient, these molecules circulate in the blood until they find their intended target. The bound radiopharmaceutical remains at the site of disease, while the rest of the agent clears rapidly from the body. The radioactive portion of the molecule serves as a beacon so that an image may be obtained depicting the disease location and concentration using commonly available nuclear medicine cameras, known as single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) cameras, found in most hospitals throughout the world. Physicians can then use this information to determine the presence and the extent of disease in a patient, resulting in optimal patient and disease management. Molecular Insight’s molecular imaging radiopharmaceutical product candidate for the detection of prostate cancer is ^99mTc-trofolastat.