Positron emission tomography. Tracing how and why it is so successful

PET is one of the most advanced medical imaging systems widely applied to medical research and clinical use. The present PET scanning technique cannot be performed in small animals such as mice. The detector is not optimal with respect to radiotracer sensitivity due to the lack of spatial resolution. (The problem is further exacerbated due to the lack of a computer model and the unknown amount of radiotracers to be administered for viable detection in small animals.) Thus, the authors are working on a feasibility study to show whether present PET scanning systems can be modified to identify active tumor foci in an orthotopic mouse model of human pancreatic cancer. This way the efficacy of selected standard chemotherapy drugs and novel biological agents can be tested. Ultimately, the goal is the development of novel therapeutic agents against human pancreatic cancer.