Works by Abbas Alavi

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Works by Abbas Alavi

Alavi began his work in the field of tomographic imaging under the guidance of Dr. David Kuhl. He and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania were pioneers in modern tomographic imaging using single gamma-emitting radionuclides (single photon emission computed tomography/SPECT). In 1973, he, along with colleagues Dr. Kuhl and Dr. Martin Reivich, were the first scientists to come up with the idea of ​​labeling deoxyglucose with positron-emitting fluorine (F-18), which led to FDG. In August 1976, Alavi gave the first human injection of FDG and obtained tomographic images of the brain and whole body. He was also one of the first to use iodine-123 to diagnose thyroid cancer, MIBG to evaluate pheochromocytoma, radiolabeled white blood cells to evaluate infection, and 99mTc to detect gastrointestinal bleeding, among many other discoveries. .

Alavi's lifelong involvement with the University of Pennsylvania began with a fellowship in nuclear medicine from 1971 to 1973. Promoted to Professor of Radiology in 1982, he served as Chief of the Nuclear Medicine Section from 1979 to 2006. He has since served as Director of Research Training in the Radiology Department.

Alavi has performed numerous studies utilizing FDG since its inception. In addition, shortly after the introduction of CT in the early 70s and MRI in the early 80s, Alavi conducted research combining these imaging modalities with PET. He is an expert in modern imaging techniques and the clinical application of PET imaging for the detection of cancer and other diseases, including dementia, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and infection.

Alavi has served as a member and chair of the Scientific Research Sections of the NIH and the American Cancer Society. He has trained and mentored numerous students in modern imaging techniques, and many of his former students and fellows now hold leadership positions in medical imaging worldwide.

1971-1973: Fellow in Nuclear Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
1973-1974: Instructor of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
1974-1977: Assistant Professor of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
1977-1982: Associate Professor of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
1979-2006: Director of Nuclear Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
1979-1991: Co-Director, University of Pennsylvania Center for Positron Emission Tomography
1991-2006: Medical Director, University of Pennsylvania Center for Positron Emission Tomography
1982-Present: Professor of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
1984-Present: Associate Director, University of Pennsylvania Center for Aging Research
2006-Present: Director of Research Education, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that produces three-dimensional images of molecular processes in the body. The system detects pairs of gamma rays emitted by the annihilation of positrons emitted by radionuclides (tracers) used to label biologically active molecules.

One of the most influential factors in the widespread adoption of positron imaging was the development of radiopharmaceuticals. In particular, the development of labeled 2-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F) (2FDG) by scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory and researchers at the University of Pennsylvania was an important factor in expanding the scope of PET imaging. This compound was first administered to two normal human volunteers by Alavi at the University of Pennsylvania in August 1976.

In 1999, after decades of research demonstrating the unique and versatile uses of PET and the functional data it provides, this modality was approved for reimbursement by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, particularly cancer. The cornerstone of disease assessment.

It is now well known that if FDG had not been introduced to the medical field, the field of PET molecular imaging would have been limited to major research centers and would not have been possible with its current widespread clinical application. FDG has also been explored in many biologically interesting compounds in research and drug development.