New PET Radiotracer Identifies Inflammation in Life-Threatening Atherosclerosis
In the featured article of the March 2017 issue of The Journal of
Nuclear Medicine, researchers demonstrate that a new positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer, gallium-68
(Ga-68)-pentixafor, can quickly and non-invasively identify life-threatening
atherosclerotic plaques. The tracer binds to the CXCR4 receptor on inflammatory
cells present in atherosclerotic plaques — making it possible to find and treat
atherosclerosis early.
Currently, there is no clinically available
non-invasive imaging technique specifically to detect inflammation.
F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET is being used but has important limitations.
It is taken up by many cells other than inflammatory cells, including cardiac
and brain cells. The strong signal present in the organs next to the arteries
limits the precise analysis of the radiotracer uptake
in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, patients need to fast at least six
hours before FDG injection to avoid interferences with blood sugar and muscular
uptake of the tracer that impair image quality.
"Ga-68-pentixafor binds more specifically
to inflammatory cells than FDG and does not require the patient to fast for six
hours before imaging," explained Fabien Hyafil, M.D., Ph.D., of Klinikum
Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany, and Bichat University Hospital, Assistance
Publique, Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.
In the study, the specific binding of Ga-68-pentixafor to
inflammatory cells located in atherosclerotic plaques was first validated in an
animal model. Seven atherosclerotic rabbits and five controls were imaged on
a PET-MRI (magnetic
resonance imaging) system after
injection of the tracer. Resulting images clearly showed inflammation in
plaques in the abdominal aorta and right carotid artery of the atherosclerotic
rabbits. The researchers also confirmed with a small number of human patients
that the radiotracer detected atherosclerotic plaques located in their carotid
arteries.
To read more please visit https://www.dicardiology.com/content/new-pet-radiotracer-identifies-inflammation-life-threatening-atherosclerosis
Source: Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology