By Anna Greene, PhD, NETRF Director of Research
Dr. Benjamin Viglianti, recipient of a 2023 NETRF Investigator Award, is the senior author of a newly published review in Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging titled “Molecular Imaging of Neuroendocrine Tumors: Current Applications and Future Trends.” This comprehensive work, supported in part by NETRF, offers a state-of-the-art analysis of molecular imaging technologies and their application in diagnosing and managing neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), which consist of well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs).
The Power of Molecular Imaging
Neuroendocrine cancer is uncommon and complex, arising from hormone-producing cells throughout the body. As incidence rates rise, so does the urgency to refine and personalize the tools we use to detect and treat them. Dr. Viglianti and his colleagues detail how advancements in imaging are enabling more precise diagnoses and better treatment planning for patients with NENs.
This review highlights the evolving landscape of molecular imaging, describing both established and emerging agents that target tumor-specific receptors, such as:
- Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) – the cornerstone of imaging well-differentiated NETs.
- GLP-1R agents – promising tools for imaging insulinomas.
- [18F]FDOPA and [131I]MIBG – valuable in imaging specific subtypes like pheochromocytomas and midgut NETs.
- Emerging targets like uPAR, CXCR4, FAPI, and bombesin receptor 2 may play critical roles in imaging higher-grade tumors.
The authors also examine how these imaging tools are not only diagnostic but also facilitate “theranostics,” where diagnostic imaging directly guides targeted treatment using similar agents.
A Roadmap for the Future
This paper identifies promising new targets, evaluates their clinical readiness, and outlines where further research is needed. It’s a guiding document for scientists, clinicians, and pharmaceutical innovators alike, and it reinforces the importance of continued investment in molecular imaging.
Your Support Makes This Possible
Dr. Viglianti’s work is a shining example of what NETRF funding can achieve. By investing in promising investigators and high-impact projects, we are helping bring cutting-edge science to the clinic.
To our community of donors, researchers, and patients: thank you. Together, we are transforming how neuroendocrine cancers are understood, detected, and treated, one breakthrough at a time.
Read more about Dr. Viglianti’s NETRF-funded research:
Exploring New Research in Neuroendocrine Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Development of a Low Molecular Weight Fluorine-18 FAPI Imaging Agent and Companion Radiotherapeutic