Molecular Imaging & Therapy Program
Hoag’s Molecular Imaging & Therapy Program is the only program
of its kind in Orange County, that builds upon Hoag’s personalized,
science-based approach to cancer care.
Hoag is helping pioneer the most sensitive imaging methods to date to advance
research and applications of molecular imaging and therapy in the treatment
of cancer patients. These trials are expected to play a significant role
in cancer detection, individualized treatment and drug development. The
future of cancer detection and therapy is offered today at Hoag.
A side by side comparison of traditional CT imaging on the left vs. molecular
imaging on the right. Molecular imaging, which utilizes PET/CT imaging
in combination with specially designed molecules that bind to targets
on cancer cells, found cancer unlike traditional CT imaging.
What is Molecular Imaging & Therapy?
Molecular imaging and therapy is an emerging research discipline that uses
cell biology, molecular biology and diagnostic imaging to detect and treat
cancer at a cellular level. Current imaging tools allow physicians to
see the anatomical shape of a tumor. With molecular imaging, Hoag physicians
look deeper, viewing cancer cells at a molecular level, well before structural
changes can be seen on traditional imaging.
Using molecular imaging, Hoag physicians can better visualize, characterize
and quantify the biological processes taking place in a patient’s
body. This depth of knowledge arms Hoag physicians with early disease
detection by locating the exact extent of a patient’s cancer and
predicting, in addition to evaluating, a treatment response.
“Molecular imaging can direct oncologists right to a cancer, rather
than to where we guess it might be,” said Dr. Ulaner. “These
technologies also show promise in helping us to evaluate potential targets
on an individual patient’s cancer cells, to determine who will respond
best to different types of treatment.”
When disease has progressed, or there is biochemical evidence of recurrence,
molecular therapy can be utilized. Molecular therapy is similar to molecular
imaging, except the molecule targeting the cancer cell is now labeled
with a very high dose of radiation to treat cancer cells.
How Does it Work?
Specially-designed molecules that have been developed to target specific
cancer cells are administered into a patient’s body. The molecules
contain radiotracers, a kind of tumor-specific dye that “lights
up” in a PET/CT scan. This imaging creates a picture for physicians
of exactly where cancer cells are in the body.
The difference between molecular imaging and molecular therapy is the degree
of radiation used in the designed molecule.
Contact Us
To inquire about a molecular imaging or molecular therapy clinical trial,
please call 949-557-0285.