# High Energy and Spatial Resolution Multi-Isotope SPECT Imaging of Targeted Alpha-Emitters and their Daughters

> **NIH NIH U01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $755,547

## Abstract

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is the most versatile nuclear medicine imaging modality.
In principle, it can image any radionuclide whose decay leads to photon emissions. There are more than 200
photon emitters with physics properties (half-life, photon energy and yield) appropriate for medical imaging using
SPECT. In large part due to instrumentation constraints, only 12 or so are used in medicine. We propose to
develop a SPECT system that will vastly expand the number of radionuclides that could be candidates for
medical imaging. Our CZT-based system will double the range of imageable photon energies; improve the
photon energy resolution and also the spatial resolution more than two-fold (1.5% vs 10% at 140 keV and 4 to 7
vs 10 to 15 mm respectively). The sensitivity will be increased more than 10-fold. Current SPECT imaging
technology does not meet the clinical demands of recent and potentially transformative advances in
radiopharmaceutical therapy, theranostics and precision medicine. These clinical advances require imaging that
is rigorously quantitative, has a high spatial resolution and can simultaneously image more than one radionuclide.
These capabilities must be offered at a fraction of current imaging times. We have chosen design specifications
for the device to meet the highly demanding imaging needs of radiopharmaceutical therapy with alpha-particle
emitters (αRPT). Alpha-emitters decay via a complex scheme that includes multiple daughters; the agents are
incredibly potent such that treatment is effective at sub GBq administered activity levels. Dosimetry and,
therefore quantitative accuracy at high spatial resolution is essential. We will build and characterize the “alpha-
SPECT” camera via the following specific aims: 1. Develop a large area 3-D CZT imaging-spectrometer that is
capable of providing an unprecedented energy resolution; this detector platform will be the basic building block
for alpha-SPECT. 2. Combine the CZT-based detection system with a synthetic compound-eye gamma camera
design to achieve a compact detection system with ultrahigh resolution over a wide field of view in a 45 cm
diameter ring. 3. Develop quantitative multi-isotope reconstruction methods that are tailored to the high
performance capability of Alpha-SPECT. 4. Evaluate system performance in phantoms and in large animal
preclinical studies. 5. Use the system for lesion and normal tissue dosimetry in metastatic prostate cancer
patients treated with Radium-223 (Xofigo). The proposal is founded on a partnership of unparalleled
instrumentation development capability (Dr. Meng), coupled with cutting-edge capability in implementing
advanced algorithms for multi-dimensional image generation (Drs. Frey and Du) that will be applied to the
dosimetry demands (Dr. Sgouros) of a new and promising treatment that delivers highly potent radiation to
disseminated cancer cells. Beyond the specific clinical scenario that is driving the proposed applica...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10275637
- **Project number:** 1U01EB031798-01
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Yong Du
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $755,547
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10275637

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10275637, High Energy and Spatial Resolution Multi-Isotope SPECT Imaging of Targeted Alpha-Emitters and their Daughters (1U01EB031798-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10275637. Licensed CC0.

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