Development of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol for the Characterization of Atherosclerotic Plaque by Using Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 and Apoptosis-Targeted Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Derivatives

Abstract

Our vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and apoptotic cell targeted USPIO derivatives seem to be highly promising tools for atherosclerosis imaging contributing to the detection of vulnerable plaques. They are able to attain their target in low doses and as fast as 30 minutes after administration.