Assoc. Prof. Papadakis Georgios

Assoc. Prof. Papadakis Georgios
Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Greece

PET-imaging applications in the management of patients with melanoma

Author: G.Z. Papadakis
Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH)

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging is the cutting-edge nuclear medicine molecular imaging technique that holds a critical role in the management of patients with melanoma. Furthermore, the integration of PET with computed tomography (PET/CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI), enables the combination of functional data provided by PET with the anatomical information provided by CT or MRI, offering enhanced diagnostic capabilities facilitating early detection, accurate staging/restaging, and efficient assessment of treatment response in oncologic patients. Moreover, in recent years, instrumentation innovations enabled the development of PET detectors compatible with high-intensity MR-field, allowing the introduction into the clinical setting of integrated PET/MRI systems capable of simultaneous PET and MRI acquisition. The substantially enhanced imaging capabilities of these systems with improved image quality, considerable increase in the accuracy of the co-registration between PET-data and MRI anatomy and temporal synchronization of the data acquired by the two modalities, provide the ground for advanced molecular imaging applications contributing to the design and implementation of precision medicine approaches in patients with melanoma, given the aggressive nature and high metastatic potential of this cancer. Aim of the current presentation is to provide an overview of “PET-Imaging applications in the management of patients with melanoma”, given its crucial role in identifying regional and distant metastases, guiding surgical and therapeutic decisions, and monitoring immunotherapy and advanced targeted therapies. Apart from 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) which is the most widely employed PET-tracer for oncologic purposes that targets metabolic activity, novel PET-radiopharmaceuticals and their applications in the setting of patients with melanoma will be thoroughly discussed.

SHORT CV

Dr Georgios Z. Papadakis is a certified Nuclear Medicine Physician, with expertise on conventional nuclear medicine and on the clinical and pre-clinical applications of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. His research activities are focused on the interdisciplinary area of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, with innovative PET-radiopharmaceuticals. Currently, he is the director of the Hybrid Molecular Imaging Unit (HMIU) at the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) https://www.ics.forth.gr/hmiu/ which hosts a cutting-edge pre-clinical PET/MRI scanner that enables simultaneous PET and MRI acquisition (4th scanner world-wide providing this capability).
The results of Dr Papadakis’ research work have been published in top scientific journals such as “The New England Journal of Medicine” and have been presented in top international meetings and conferences, receiving several honors and awards with the most important having been named in 2022 as Rising Star in the field of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).
His scientific vision focuses on the combination of competing fields of science at the crossroads of diagnosis and individualized treatment, which offer rich research opportunities, promising both immediate and long-term benefits to patients as well as cutting costs and improving efficacy.