Clinical Molecular Imaging of Chemokine Receptor CXCR4 Expression in Atherosclerotic Plaque Using 68Ga-Pentixafor PET: Correlation with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Calcified Plaque Burden

• DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.117.196485
• Publication Date: 2017-08-04T00:50:21Z
• Authors: Desiree Weiberg; James T. Thackeray; Guenter Daum; Jan M. Sohns; Saskia Kropf; Hans-Juergen Wester; Tobias L. Ross; Frank M. Bengel; Thorsten Derlin
• Keywords: Molecular Imaging

The CXC-motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) represents a promising target for molecular imaging of different CXCR4-positive cell types in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and arterial wall injury. aim this study was to assess the prevalence, pattern, clinical correlates accumulation ⁶⁸Ga-pentixafor, specific CXCR4 ligand PET. <b>Methods:</b> data 51 patients who underwent ⁶⁸Ga-pentixafor PET/CT noncardiovascular indications were retrospectively analyzed. Tracer vessel major arteries analyzed qualitatively semiquantitatively by blood-pool–corrected target-to-background ratios. uptake compared with calcified plaque burden risk factors. <b>Results:</b> Focal seen at 1,411 sites (100%) patients. significantly associated (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.0001) factors including age 0.0001), hypertension hypercholesterolemia = 0.0005), history smoking 0.01), prior events 0.0004). Both prevalence signal intensity 0.009) increased number increased. <b>Conclusion:</b>⁶⁸Ga-pentixafor is suitable noninvasive, highly PET expression atherosclerotic wall. Arterial surrogate markers linked presence higher high-risk profile may hold promise identification vulnerable plaque.