Description:
Nuclear Medicine and Biology publishes original research addressing all aspects of
radiopharmaceutical science: synthesis,
in vitro and
ex vivo studies,
in vivo biodistribution by dissection or
imaging,
radiopharmacology,
radiopharmacy, and translational clinical studies of targeted radiotracers. The importance of the target to a key disease should
be the first consideration. If the synthesis of a new radiopharmaceutical is submitted without
in vitro or
in vivo
data, then the uniqueness of the chemistry must be emphasized.
These multidisciplinary studies should validate the mechanism of localization
whether the probe is based on binding to a receptor, enzyme, tumor antigen, or another well-defined target. The studies should be aimed
at evaluating how the chemical and radiopharmaceutical properties affect pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, or therapeutic efficacy.
Ideally, the study would address the sensitivity of the probe to changes in disease or treatment, although studies validating mechanism
alone are acceptable. Radiopharmacy practice, addressing the issues of preparation, automation, quality control, dispensing, and regulations
applicable to qualification and administration of radiopharmaceuticals to humans, is an important aspect of the developmental process,
but only if the study has a significant impact on the field.
Contributions on the subject of
therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals
also are appropriate provided that the specificity of labeled compound localization and therapeutic effect have been addressed. Supplemental
information on the Aims and Scope can be found in the Jan issue of the Journal and at
www.nucmedbio.com.
