6533b86dfe1ef96bd12c97e2

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Advances in detection and characterization of atherosclerosis using contrast agents targeting the macrophage

subject

description

With advances in imaging technology and our understanding of the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis, the macrophage appears to be an excellent target for imaging the progression of disease. In addition to imaging the macrophage with only 1 modality, contrast agents can be created that can be imaged with multiple modalities. This seems extremely attractive, as lesion morphology and characteristics can be determined with modalities that provide high picture resolution, such as CT or MRI, whereas macrophage quantity can be accurately determined through the creation of a radiolabeled contrast agent such as FDG via PET. Although this combination of imaging technologies may yield clinically useful data, the associated cost would likely be quite high, and further studies are necessary to validate this approach before it achieves widespread use. The area in which macrophage detection may reach wide clinical utility first is likely the detection of high-risk carotid atherosclerotic plaque. If limitations in coronary image resolution are overcome in the setting of MRI and other imaging technologies, the ability to detect high-risk lesions in the coronary tree through molecular imaging may greatly change how we determine which lesions require therapy and how patients are managed. Therefore we believe that contrast agents that specifically target the macrophage may aid in the detection and risk stratification of atherosclerotic plaque and aid in determining which therapy will best reduce patient morbidity and mortality rates.