Experimental Imaging Center
Molecular imaging
The research interests of the molecular imaging group are to provide technical capabilities and scientific expertise for integrating cutting-edge, multi-modality imaging into basic, translational, and clinical research. Our research activity is particularly focused on the use of integrated molecular imaging modalities, PET/CT and the very innovative fully hybrid PET/MRI system, with the use of different PET radiopharmaceuticals, for in vivo studies in different diseases.
Research activity
Main fields of research include:
- the use of molecular imaging modalities for the evaluation of cancer patients, for risk stratification and monitoring response to therapy;
- the clinical and the predictive/prognostic impact of integrated molecular imaging modalities in neoplasms;
- the development of innovative PET tracer for a deep knowledge of cancer disease.
Overall aim of the research is the set-up of new non-invasive diagnostic imaging methods to be transferred in clinical practice for the optimization of diagnosis, prognosis and therapy in oncology.
Mapelli P, Ironi G, Bergamini A, Mangili G, Paola R, Taccagni GL, Venturini E, Petrone M, Nisi V, Fallanca F, De Marzi P, Colarieti A, Candotti G, Bocciolone L, Candiani M, Gianolli L, Picchio M*, De Cobelli F. Synergic role of preoperative 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET and MRI parameters in predicting histopathological features of endometrial cancer. Nucl Med Commun. 2020 Oct;41(10):1073-1080. doi: 10.1097/MNM.0000000000001257.
Capitanio U, Pepe G, Incerti E, Larcher A, Trevisani F, Lucianò R, Mapelli P, Bettinardi V, Monterisi C, Necchi A, Cascinu S, Bernardi R, Bertini R, Doglioni C, Gianolli L, Salonia A, Picchio M & Montorsi F. The role of 18F-FAZA PET/CT in detecting lymph node metastases in renal cell carcinoma patients: a prospective pilot trial. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2020 Jul 8. doi: 10.1007/s00259-020-04936-2
Mapelli P, Fallanca F, Scifo P, Barbera M, Castellano A 1 3, Bettinardi V, Incerti E, Gianolli L, Anzalone N, Picchio M*. Hypoxia and Amino Acid Imaging of High-Grade Glioma18F-FAZA PET/CT and 11C-Methionine PET/MRI. Clin Nucl Med. 2020 Jun;45(6):e290-e293. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000003028
Mapelli P, Fallanca F, Franchini A, Albarello L, Vanoli EG, Partelli S, Muffatti F, Gianolli L, Falconi M, Picchio M*. Pancreatic metastases from primary ileal NET only detected by 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2020 Oct;47(11):2713-2714. doi: 10.1007/s00259-020-04719-9
Incerti E, Vanoli EG, Broggi S, Gumina C, Passoni P, Slim N, Fiorino C, Reni M, Mapelli P, Cattaneo M, Zanon S, Calandrino R, Gianolli L, Di Muzio N, Picchio M*. Early variation of 18-fluorine-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose PET-derived parameters after chemoradiotherapy as predictors of survival in locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma patients. Nucl Med Commun. 2019 Oct;40(10):1072-1080. doi: 10.1097/MNM.0000000000001065
Incerti E, Broggi S, Fodor A, Cuzzocrea M, Samanes Gajate AM, Mapelli P, Fiorino C, Dell'Oca I, Pasetti M, Cattaneo M, Calandrino R, Gianolli L, Di Muzio N, Picchio M*. FDG PET-derived parameters as prognostic tool in progressive malignant pleural mesothelioma treated patients. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2018 Nov;45(12):2071-2078. doi: 10.1007/s00259-018-4056-6
Savi A, Incerti E, Fallanca F, Bettinardi V, Rossetti F, Monterisi C, Compierchio A, Negri G, Zannini P, Gianolli L, Picchio M*. First evaluation of PET based human biodistribution and dosimetry of 18F-FAZA, a tracer for imaging tumor hypoxia. J Nucl Med. 2017 Aug;58(8):1224-1229. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.113.12267
Incerti E, Tombetti E, Fallanca F, Baldissera EM, Alongi P, Tombolini E, Sartorelli S, Sabbadini MG, Papa M, De Cobelli F, Mason JC, Gianolli L, Manfredi A, Picchio M*. 18F-FDG PET reveals unique features of large vessel inflammation in patients with Takayasu's arteritis. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2017 Jul;44(7):1109-1118. doi: 10.1007/s00259-017-3639-y
Evangelista L, Briganti A, Fanti S, Joniau S, Reske S, Schiavina R, Stief C, Thalmann GN, Picchio M. New Clinical Indications for (18)F/(11)C-choline, New Tracers for Positron Emission Tomography and a Promising Hybrid Device for Prostate Cancer Staging: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Eur Urol. 2016 Jul;70(1):161-175. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2016.01.029
Mapelli P, Picchio M*. Initial prostate cancer diagnosis and disease staging-the role of choline-PET-CT. Nat Rev Urol. 2015 Sep;12(9):510-8. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2015.191.
*: Corresponding Author
