Emerging diagnostic and therapeutic molecular imaging applications in vascular disease

Abstract

Assessment of vascular disease has evolved from mere indirect and direct measurements of luminal stenosis to sophisticated imaging methods to depict millimeter structural changes of the vasculature. In the near future, the emergence of multimodal molecular imaging strategies may enable robust therapeutic and diagnostic (‘theragnostic’) approaches to vascular diseases that comprehensively consider structural, functional, biological and genomic characteristics of the disease in individualized risk assessment, early diagnosis and delivery of targeted interventions. This review presents a summary of recent preclinical and clinical developments in molecular imaging and theragnostic applications covering diverse atherosclerosis events such as endothelial activation, macrophage infammatory activity, plaque neovascularization and arterial thrombosis. The main focus is on molecular targets designed for imaging platforms commonly used in clinical medicine including magnetic resonance, computed tomography and positron emission tomography. A special emphasis is given to vascular ultrasound applications, considering the important role this imaging platform plays in the clinical and research practice of the vascular medicine specialty.

Recent Advances in Targeted, Self‐Assembling Nanoparticles to Address Vascular Damage Due to Atherosclerosis

“…A review of nanoparticles for imaging of atherosclerosis can be found elsewhere . Theranostic nanoparticles with dual therapeutic and diagnostic functionality are reviewed by Eraso et al and Tang et al Additional insight regarding formulations of nanoparticles and their in vivo behavior can be found in other reviews . A summary of challenges, clinical barriers, and a future outlook of nanomedicine in atherosclerosis are also discussed herein.…”

Cellular Membrane Microparticles: Potential Targets of Combinational Therapy for Vascular Disease

“…Atherosclerosis is the basic pathological character underlying most vascular events. The degree of endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory activity, atherosclerotic stenosis, platelet agreeability and neovascularization are important factors affecting the progression of atherosclerosis [2]. Current combinational therapies for vascular disease mainly focus on modification of lifestyle, management of risk factors and interventional treatments [3,4].…”

Cardiovascular Imaging and Theranostics in Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy

“…[21] In theranostics, drug delivery and subsequent action in a region of interest is controlled by an external energy field – mostly ultrasound, light, or a magnetic field – in an attempt to minimise systemic and local effects. [22]…”