PET Imaging of Fibroblast Activation in Atherosclerosis

Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College

Status

Enrolling

Conditions

Atherosclerosis

Treatments

Diagnostic Test: FAPI PET

Study type

Observational

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT06280287

FAPI-PLAQUE

Details and patient eligibility

About

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a fibroblast-specific marker expressed in atherosclerosis, associated with endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and a rupture-prone plaque phenotype. This study aims to evaluate in-vivo fibroblast activation in carotid and coronary atherosclerotic diseases with FAPI PET and its correlation with histological vulnerability and clinical outcome.

Full description

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a fibroblast-specific marker expressed in atherosclerosis. Abundant FAP-expressing cells in atherosclerotic plaques co-express endothelial biomarkers involved in endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. FAP upregulation is also associated with a rupture-prone plaque phenotype with a thin fibrous cap. Positron emission tomography (PET) with 68Ga-FAPI-04 has been demonstrated as a feasible method to image fibroblastic activation in the arterial wall. The current study aims to evaluate in-vivo fibroblast activation in carotid and coronary atherosclerotic diseases with FAPI PET and its correlation with histological vulnerability and clinical outcome.

Enrollment

150 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 90 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

For the carotid stenosis group: patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis with >50% stenosis on carotid CTA; OR patients with unsymptomatic carotid stenosis with >70% stenosis on carotid CTA
For CAD group: patients with stable ischemic heart disease OR acute coronary syndrome, including ST-elevation MId, non-ST elevation MI, and unstable angina
signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria