Home / Health / China Approves New Lung Cancer Diagnostic Drug
China Approves New Lung Cancer Diagnostic Drug
2 Apr
Summary
- China's first domestically developed innovative nuclear medicine drug approved.
- New drug aids in detecting lung cancer spread to lymph nodes.
- Approval may boost SPECT imaging's role in cancer diagnostics.
China's National Medical Products Administration announced on April 1, 2026, the approval of a new radioactive imaging drug for lung cancer. This domestically developed drug, technetium [99mTc] pexidotide injection, is designed to help doctors identify whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes.
This approval signifies a major stride for China's nuclear medicine industry. The drug, known as 99mTc-3PRGD2, targets specific tumor markers and is used with SPECT/CT imaging systems. It is recognized as the world's first broad-spectrum tumor imaging agent for SPECT imaging.
Experts anticipate this development could increase the application of SPECT imaging in tumor diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring. This technology may offer a more accessible and potentially cost-effective alternative to PET imaging, benefiting patients with improved diagnostic capabilities.
