Beyond Cholesterol - New Cardiovascular Biomarkers

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Immunology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Atherosclerosis (AS) is a primary consequence of obesity, leading to vulnerable plaques that cause myocardial infarction and stroke.
• Current imaging techniques fail to detect non-stenotic vulnerable AS plaques, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
• Existing blood biomarkers are insufficient for predicting critical plaque destabilization before clinical endpoints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the need for improved early diagnosis and treatment strategies for atherosclerosis.
• To explore the potential of novel biomarkers and molecular imaging for detecting vulnerable plaques.
• To address the challenge of identifying asymptomatic individuals who would benefit from screening.

Main Methods:

• Review of current limitations in AS plaque detection and biomarker utility.
• Discussion of the role of immune inflammation in plaque destabilization.
• Identification of potential new biomarkers (e.g., pentraxin 3, calprotectins, myeloperoxidase) and molecular imaging approaches.

Main Results:

• Vulnerable AS plaques are often non-stenotic and undetectable by conventional imaging.
• Immune inflammatory processes, including macrophage and T-cell polarization, are critical in plaque progression.
• Emerging biomarkers related to immune responses show potential for early detection and monitoring.

Conclusions:

• Improved detection of immune inflammation in plaques via new biomarkers and molecular imaging is essential for managing atherosclerosis.
• Further interdisciplinary research is needed to establish screening protocols and optimal timing for intervention.
• Identifying specific biomarkers and imaging tools will enable timely treatment, potentially preventing fatal clinical events.