GE HealthCare and Australia's Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have announced a partnership to explore the potential of GE HealthCare’s new total body PET/CT technology in advancing cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The Melbourne-based cancer center will evaluate the system's capabilities to support research in molecular imaging and enhance patient outcomes.

The PET/CT system features a 128 cm ultrahigh sensitivity detector and is designed to enable whole-body imaging in a single scan, (unlike traditional PET/CT, which typically requires multiple steps to image the body comprehensively). The technology aims to provide higher image quality at reduced radiation doses while integrating AI-enhanced workflow solutions.

“This next-generation PET/CT technology allows us to image from head to thighs in one step, potentially transforming research and clinical practice,” said professor Michael Hofman, head of the PET/CT program at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. “It offers new opportunities to develop radiotracers, understand tumor biology, and improve cancer management.”

GE HealthCare has tailored the system to support evolving practices like theranostics, which combines imaging and targeted therapies to diagnose and treat cancers while monitoring treatment effectiveness. Additionally, it is designed for ultralow-dose imaging, rapid scan times, and dynamic multi-organ imaging, addressing the growing demand for advanced oncological imaging.

“Collaboration is key to driving innovation,” said Jean-Luc Procaccini, president and CEO of molecular imaging and CT at GE HealthCare. “Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s leadership in cancer imaging and theranostics makes them an ideal partner as we explore the potential of this technology.”

The partnership is supported by funding from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation and National Imaging Facility, reflecting a broader push to advance cancer research in Australia. The scalable design of the PET/CT system also allows healthcare providers to upgrade their capabilities to meet future clinical and community needs.

United Imaging brought the first total body PET/CT to market with FDA clearance in early 2019. That scanner, part of United Imaging’s all-digital PET/CT portfolio, enables fast and continuous tracking of tracer distribution in blood, organs and tissues throughout the body. This is due to the fact that it carries 40 times greater sensitivity than current clinical PET/CT scanners, a quality that is expected to create longer lifespans for radiotracers and reduce the amount of dose needed.

Back to HCB News

Molecular Imaging Homepage