Brought to you by Nuclear Education Online (NEO)                    Volume 2, No. 12       February 2005

Bexxar Study Gets National Attention

The New England Journal of Medicine article 131I-Tositumomab Therapy as Initial Treatment for Follicular Lymphoma reported exciting results and received national attention, including ABC News.  The University of Michigan study reported that of 76 patients enrolled in the study, 95 percent responded to the treatment, and 75 percent had a complete response, meaning no evidence of cancer remained. More than three-quarters of patients with a complete remission were disease-free after five years.

View the abstract..; CNN Article

 

DOE Budget Cuts

Funding for molecular/nuclear medicine programs in the Department of Energy (DOE) Medical Applications and Measurement Science Program has been dramatically cut in the proposed FY ’06 budget. President Bush’s proposed budget reduces funding for these programs from approximately $37 million in FY ’05 to $13.6 million in FY ’06. Most of the proposed $13.6 million in FY ’06 will go to research in fields unrelated to nuclear medicine.  The future of molecular/nuclear medicine needs your help. The SNM has provided information so that you can contact your legislators  Click here!

 

CMS Approves PET for Cervical Cancer Staging

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that an FDG PET scan for the detection of pre-treatment metastases (i.e., staging) in newly diagnosed cervical cancer subsequent to conventional imaging that is negative for extra-pelvic metastasis is reasonable and necessary as an adjunct test, and CMS intends to issue a national coverage determination (NCD) for this indication.

 

APhA Annual Meeting Early Registration Deadline

Nuclear Pharmacy has planned a fun and educational program scheduled for the APhA meeting in Orlando, including 15 hours of CE credit, NEO luncheon, a nuclear pharmacist reception and breakfast, award recognitions, and a great chance to renew old friendships and make new ones.  Make your plans to attend at www.APhAmeeting.org.  The early registration discount expires March 2nd!

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A 53 year old woman presents for restaging of multiple myeloma.  The PET/CT scan demonstrates unusual uptake in the gallbladder.. Continued....

The U.S. National Toxicology Program has added ionizing radiation to its list of known carcinogens.

Poll Results:

Question:  How do you think the addition of X and Gamma rays to the list of carcinogens will affect imaging?

• May deter people from getting needed imaging procedures: 26.7%

• It is a legitimate warning against overuse of radiological procedures:  73.3%

View the latest poll at http://nuclearpharmacy.uams.edu