Exogenous imaging contrast and therapeutic agents for intravascular photoacoustic imaging and image-guided therapy

Intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) imaging has been developed in recent years as a viable imaging modality for the assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Exogenous imaging contrast and therapeutic agents further enhance this imaging modality and provide significant benefits. Imaging contrast agents can significantly increase photoacoustic signal, resulting in enhanced plaque detection and characterization. The ability to use these particles to molecularly target markers of disease progression makes it possible to determine patient-specific levels of risk and plan treatments accordingly. With improved diagnosis, clinicians will be able to use therapeutic agents that are synergistic with IVPA imaging to treat atherosclerotic patients. Pre-clinical and clinical studies with relevance to IVPA imaging have shown promise in the area of diagnosis and therapeutics. In this review, we present a variety of imaging contrast agents that are either designed for or are compatible with IVPA imaging, cover uses of therapeutic agents that compliment this imaging modality, and discuss future directions of research in the field.

The European project NanoAthero to fight cardiovascular diseases using nanotechnologies

Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of death in the world. Nanosystems with contrast agents or drugs appear as promising tools for early detection and treatments. NanoAthero, a large-scale 5-year project funded by the European Union FP7 gathers 16 partners from ten different countries to demonstrate the benefit of the use of nanoparticle technologies. Through the design and characterization of nanosystems, preclinical and clinical validations, toxicology, industrial development and production in good manufacturing practice forms, several studies are underway for plaque and stroke both for imaging and treatment. A clinical study was already completed using a good manufacturing practice liposomal formulation in patients with carotid atheroma. NanoAthero is a unique opportunity to open new strategies for the management of cardiovascular diseases.