Vascular Inflammation in Atherosclerosis - Whole Body Molecular PET/CT Imaging Using Folate Receptor β (ATHERO-FOL)

This study investigates inflammation in the blood vessels of people with coronary artery disease (CAD) or a recent myocardial infarction. Inflammation plays an important role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, but there is currently no established clinical imaging method for detecting inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques throughout the body. The study uses a new PET imaging tracer called 18F-AlF-NOTA-Folate. The tracer is designed to bind to folate receptor beta (FR-β), a marker found on activated macrophages, which are immune cells involved in inflammation. The aim is to determine whether PET imaging with this tracer can detect and measure inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques. Approximately 90 patients will participate. One group will include patients with suspected or stable coronary artery disease who are undergoing coronary CT angiography and PET imaging as part of their clinical assessment. A second, smaller group will include patients who have recently had a myocardial infarction. Participants will undergo PET and CT imaging and provide blood…

• Coronary 18F-AlF-NOTA-Folate uptake measured by a target-to-background ratio
• 18F-AlF-NOTA-Folate uptake in extracardiac arteries measured by TBR

1. Study completion expected

   Dec 2032

2. Primary completion expected

   Dec 2027

3. Registered

   Oct 16, 2026

4. Started

   Oct 1, 2026