Novel Activity-Based Probes Detect Vascular Inflammation
By MedImaging International staff writers Posted on 08 Nov 2016 |
Image: The images demonstrate the use of activity-based probes using optical and PET/CT methods, to detect early signs of atherosclerotic plaques (Photo courtesy of Xiaowei Ma, Toshinobu Saito and Nimali Withana).
Researchers have shown that a combined optical and Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) probe can be used to detect early signs of atherosclerotic plaques.
The researchers published the study in the October 2016, issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Atherosclerosis is mostly asymptomatic and can develop over many years. Symptoms only become apparent when more than 70% of a vessel is blocked resulting in a significant risk of a stroke or myocardial infractions.
The researchers from the Stanford University Medical Center (SUMC; Stanford, CA, USA) used Activity-Based Probes (ABPs) and optical and PET/CT methods. The researchers were able to demonstrate that ABPs, which target cysteine cathepsins provide a fast and non-invasive technique to enable them to image the progression of atherosclerotic disease and the vulnerability of plaque.
One of the lead authors of the study, Matthew Bogyo, PhD, said, "This collaborative study with Zhen Cheng, PhD, and Michael McConnell, MD, provides evidence that these probes have potential benefits for non-invasive imaging of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation, potentially leading to the application of this probe in the clinic to help identify patients at high risk of developing premature atherosclerosis. What's novel about this is the fact that these probes provide accurate detection of lesions undergoing high levels of inflammatory activity and extracellular matrix remodeling. They not only enable early disease detection, they can provide real-time monitoring of therapeutic responses and clinical drug efficacy."
Related Links:
Stanford University Medical Center
The researchers published the study in the October 2016, issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Atherosclerosis is mostly asymptomatic and can develop over many years. Symptoms only become apparent when more than 70% of a vessel is blocked resulting in a significant risk of a stroke or myocardial infractions.
The researchers from the Stanford University Medical Center (SUMC; Stanford, CA, USA) used Activity-Based Probes (ABPs) and optical and PET/CT methods. The researchers were able to demonstrate that ABPs, which target cysteine cathepsins provide a fast and non-invasive technique to enable them to image the progression of atherosclerotic disease and the vulnerability of plaque.
One of the lead authors of the study, Matthew Bogyo, PhD, said, "This collaborative study with Zhen Cheng, PhD, and Michael McConnell, MD, provides evidence that these probes have potential benefits for non-invasive imaging of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation, potentially leading to the application of this probe in the clinic to help identify patients at high risk of developing premature atherosclerosis. What's novel about this is the fact that these probes provide accurate detection of lesions undergoing high levels of inflammatory activity and extracellular matrix remodeling. They not only enable early disease detection, they can provide real-time monitoring of therapeutic responses and clinical drug efficacy."
Related Links:
Stanford University Medical Center
Latest Radiography News
- Novel Breast Imaging System Proves As Effective As Mammography
- AI Assistance Improves Breast-Cancer Screening by Reducing False Positives
- AI Could Boost Clinical Adoption of Chest DDR
- 3D Mammography Almost Halves Breast Cancer Incidence between Two Screening Tests
- AI Model Predicts 5-Year Breast Cancer Risk from Mammograms
- Deep Learning Framework Detects Fractures in X-Ray Images With 99% Accuracy
- Direct AI-Based Medical X-Ray Imaging System a Paradigm-Shift from Conventional DR and CT
- Chest X-Ray AI Solution Automatically Identifies, Categorizes and Highlights Suspicious Areas
- AI Diagnoses Wrist Fractures As Well As Radiologists
- Annual Mammography Beginning At 40 Cuts Breast Cancer Mortality By 42%
- 3D Human GPS Powered By Light Paves Way for Radiation-Free Minimally-Invasive Surgery
- Novel AI Technology to Revolutionize Cancer Detection in Dense Breasts
- AI Solution Provides Radiologists with 'Second Pair' Of Eyes to Detect Breast Cancers
- AI Helps General Radiologists Achieve Specialist-Level Performance in Interpreting Mammograms
- Novel Imaging Technique Could Transform Breast Cancer Detection
- Computer Program Combines AI and Heat-Imaging Technology for Early Breast Cancer Detection