GE Healthcare features AdreView diagnostic agent at Arab Health 2009

AdreView provides high quality images that allow physicians to detect neuroendocrine tumors in children and adults.

Dr. Arnold Jacobson, MD, PhD, GE's clinical project leader for the AdreView program, said:

"AdreView will have an immediate impact on improving diagnostic assessment of pediatric cancer patients with neuroblastoma."

"AdreView also will provide reliable imaging data to aid in identifying primary and metastatic pheochromocytoma, a predominantly adult tumor that often presents diagnostic challenges for clinicians. The introduction of AdreView is a reflection of our commitment to provide new and improved molecular imaging solutions for physicians and their patients," he added.

Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor of young children up to 5 years of age, while pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor typically affecting adults.

Both tumors usually arise from tissues of the sympathetic nervous system, most commonly in the adrenal glands. Neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma can be difficult to detect at an early stage because symptoms may be non-specific when the tumors are small.

AdreView images reflect the functional behavior of the tumor cells, thus allowing clearer characterization of even small tumors in comparison to similar appearing but non-malignant tissues. AdreView provides valuable adjunctive information to complement anatomic imaging procedures such as CT and MRI.

AdreView will also permit imaging of these tumors with a lower radiation dose than other agents that have been available for this purpose. It can be used with Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging, a valuable addition for localizing sites of disease in the body.

"AdreView is just the first of many new products we are developing to deliver on the promise of molecular medicine," said Don Black, MD, Vice-President of Research and Development for GE Healthcare's Medical Diagnostics business. "We are invested in making imaging agents that will make new medical breakthroughs a reality."