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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
08:01
Synthesis of Monocyte-targeting Peptide Amphiphile Micelles for Imaging of Atherosclerosis
Published on: November 17, 2017
Strategies to reverse atherosclerosis: an imaging perspective.
Jason B Thompson1, Michael Blaha, Jon R Resar
1Division of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Carnegie 568, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. jthomp59@jhmi.edu
Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
|July 24, 2008
Summary
Treatments targeting cholesterol may reverse atherosclerosis progression. Advanced imaging techniques track plaque changes, potentially replacing traditional heart attack and death endpoints in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Medical Imaging
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular disease.
- Current treatments aim to manage risk factors like cholesterol levels.
- Atherosclerosis regression is a potential therapeutic goal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review treatment strategies for atherosclerosis regression.
- To discuss the role of advanced imaging in assessing atherosclerosis.
- To evaluate the use of imaging surrogates in clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Review of pharmacological interventions targeting lipid profiles (statins, fibrates, nicotinic acid).
- Description of established atherosclerosis imaging modalities (intravascular ultrasound, carotid ultrasound, cardiovascular MRI).
- Analysis of the increasing use of radiologic measures as surrogate endpoints.
Main Results:
- Specific therapies show potential to induce atherosclerosis regression.
- Imaging techniques allow detailed characterization of plaque quantity and quality.
- Subclinical atherosclerosis measures are increasingly used as surrogate endpoints in trials.
Conclusions:
- Atherosclerosis regression is achievable with lipid-modifying therapies.
- Advanced imaging enables early detection and monitoring of atherosclerotic changes.
- Further data is needed to confirm surrogate endpoints' correlation with hard clinical outcomes for future treatment strategies.
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