Siemens Healthineers, India’s recent partnership with HealthCare Global Enterprises (HCG), is aimed to revolutionise cancer diagnosis and treatment through precision medicine. THE WEEK interviews Dr K.G. Kallur, Director of Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine at HCG Center and Mathew Abraham Chandy, Segment Head for Molecular Imaging, Siemens Healthineers Development Center, to throw light as to how this partnership will help cancer patients.
Siemens Healthineers has previously partnered with other organizations as well, so how does this partnership with HCG help in advancing patient care?
Siemens Healthineers, India’s partnership with HealthCare Global Enterprises (HCG), is aimed to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment through precision medicine. The collaboration undertakes an integration of advanced imaging techniques with novel radiopharmaceuticals, such as FAPI (Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitors) tracers, which probe deep into the cancer microenvironment. This approach is designed to enhance precision treatments, offering patients more tailored and effective care.
HCG's expertise in nuclear medicine, particularly with PET/CT technology, and their team of nuclear medicine physicians and oncologists, play a vital role in the collaboration by developing practical workflows adaptable to various clinical settings. This partnership not only advances cutting-edge cancer care but is also committed to expand access to high-quality healthcare, particularly in underserved regions.
What are some of the research and development activities from Siemens Healthineers on Molecular Imaging?
At Siemens Healthineers, we own the entire value chain in molecular imaging; from growing our own crystals to manufacturing detectors, integrating our own CTs and developing the best-in-class clinical applications. This comprehensive approach positions us as a global leader in molecular imaging equipment. For example, our industry-leading Time-of-Flight (TOF) system delivers outstanding image quality. Additionally, our FlowMotion (continuous bed motion) technology allows for the development and saving of protocols based on clinical indications, making them easily incorporated into clinical routines, ensuring reliable disease visualization. We are also exploring the use of AI to automate workflows, improve quantification, and optimize workflow efficiency for technologists and physicians, all while ensuring patient comfort.
Our long axial field-of-view scanner simplifies complex, time-consuming workflows such as dual tracer PET/CT imaging, which previously required a two-day gap between FDG (Fluorodeoxyglucose)-PET and targeted tumor receptor scans. This is especially relevant for neuroendocrine and prostate cancers. By streamlining this process, our scanner reduces patient inconvenience and costs.
Could you share some examples of innovations in MedTech devices?
At Siemens Healthineers, our teams are committed to transform personalized care through groundbreaking medical technologies that deliver more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatments. One of the most significant clinical trends driving this innovation is theranostics, which integrates diagnostics and therapeutics to offer highly personalized treatment options, particularly in cancer care.
By leveraging advanced molecular imaging technologies such as PET/CT and SPECT/CT, clinicians can precisely identify cancer-specific biomarkers. Based on these imaging insights, targeted therapeutic agents, such as radioligand therapies, are administered to effectively treat cancer while minimizing the toxicity to healthy organs. For example, in prostate cancer, the same biomarker is used for both detection and treatment, an approach that has also proven highly successful in managing neuroendocrine tumors with somatostatin receptors. Recent advances in theranostics have enabled clinicians to optimize treatment outcomes, significantly enhancing patients' quality of life.
Another emerging trend is the development of novel biomarkers and targeted treatments, where Siemens Healthineers quantitative imaging technologies play a crucial role in clinical trials. The combination of SPECT/CT imaging with radionuclide therapy represents a major advancement, as it enhances the visualization of tumor receptors and enables precise measurement of radiation absorption by both tumors and surrounding organs.
Can you provide any interesting case studies on how the reduced time of the PET/CT scan has helped claustrophobic or bedridden patients?
At HCG Bengaluru, the reduced time for PET/CT scans has provided significant benefits for claustrophobic and bedridden patients. The faster scan times, enabled by advancements like Siemens Healthineers Vision 600 PET scanner, significantly alleviate anxiety for claustrophobic individuals. These systems generate high-quality images in under 2 minutes compared to the 16 minutes of older PET scanners. This is particularly helpful for patients who may experience discomfort or distress during longer procedures. Moreover, bedridden patients benefit from the shorter times on the scanning table, reducing pain and discomfort associated with prolonged positioning. For claustrophobic patients, the improved speed and wider bore designs of Vision 600 PET scanner also reduce feelings of confinement, a common issue in traditional scanning equipment.
Example of a fast scan at HCG Bengaluru.
Top image shows whole body scan done in one minute and bottom image shows typical five-minute scan of the same patient. This shows no significant differences in the quality of images. We use faster one-or two-minute scans for claustrophobic patients or patients who cannot sleep motionless for more than two minutes due to pain or their illness.