# Intravascular NIRF-IVUS imaging of inflammation-guided arterial therapy

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $710,328

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The goal of this R01 application is to improve the treatment of atherosclerosis and endovascular
stenting by illuminating their underlying pathobiology through translatable intravascular imaging of
arterial inflammation and structure. To achieve this goal, we will engineer a next-generation intravascular
near-infrared fluorescence-intravascular ultrasound (NIRF-IVUS) imaging system targeted to human coronary
arteries. We will then harness NIRF-IVUS to elucidate the role of inflammation in assessing and guiding
atherosclerosis and stent restenosis pharmacotherapeutic strategies. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a
worldwide leading cause of death and disability, and often requires coronary stenting for treatment. Biological
and molecular processes such as inflammation drive devastating CAD and stent complications, but are largely
invisible to contemporary clinical imaging methods. The ability to image and quantify coronary arterial
molecular processes such as inflammation would improve patient risk stratification, guide the selection CAD
and stent pharmacotherapies, and help streamline CAD and stent therapeutics development from phase 0
/preclinical to phase IV/post-approval stages.
Our laboratory has co-developed novel and innovative intravascular imaging systems that combine high-
resolution IVUS, the dominant intracoronary structural imaging method, with NIRF molecular imaging, a
powerful new molecular imaging approach under rapid clinical translation. In this application, we will
substantially improve the translational potential of intravascular NIRF-IVUS to detect high-risk plaques and
stents at risk of complications, and further guide the personalized selection of arterial pharmacotherapy. The
Specific Aims of this proposal are: Aim 1: Develop a next generation NIRF-IVUS v2.0 system optimized for in
vivo intracoronary imaging, and test in vivo in a swine serial coronary stent inflammation model. Aim 2:
Demonstrate that NIRF-IVUS measures of inflammation drive atheroma progression and atherothrombosis in
vivo, and predict the response to ezetimibe, an FDA-approved atherosclerosis agent. Aim 3: Demonstrate
that NIRF-IVUS measures of inflammation drive stent restenosis in vivo, and predict the response to
colchicine, an FDA-approved therapy with the potential to reduce restenosis.
The long-term objectives of this research are to provide a translational foundation for clinical NIRF-IVUS, and
to provide a new, personalized medicine approach to select patients for anti-inflammatory therapy to reduce
plaque progression, atherothrombosis, and stent complications. Clinical translation of this knowledge may
provide a new paradigm using intravascular NIRF-IVUS to improve outcomes in patients with CAD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9863253
- **Project number:** 1R01HL150538-01
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Farouc Amin Jaffer
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $710,328
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-03-17 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9863253

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9863253, Intravascular NIRF-IVUS imaging of inflammation-guided arterial therapy (1R01HL150538-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9863253. Licensed CC0.

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