[(68)Ga]Ga-NODAGA-E[(cRGDyK)](2) angiogenesis PET following myocardial infarction in an experimental rat model predicts cardiac functional parameters and development of heart failure

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis has increasingly been a target for imaging and treatment over the last decade. The integrin α(v)β(3) is highly expressed in cells during angiogenesis and are therefore a promising target for imaging. In this study, we aimed to investigate the PET tracer [(68)Ga]Ga-RGD as a marker of angiogenesis following MI and its ability to predict cardiac functional parameters. METHODS: First, the real-time interaction between [(68)Ga]Ga-RGD and integrin α(v)β(3) was investigated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Second, an animal study was performed to investigate the [(68)Ga]Ga-RGD uptake in the infarcted area after one and four weeks following MI in a rat model (MI = 68, sham surgery = 36). Finally, the specificity of the [(68)Ga]Ga-RGD tracer was evaluated ex vivo using histology, autoradiography, gamma counting and flow cytometry. RESULTS: SPR showed that [(68)Ga]Ga-RGD has a high affinity for integrin α(v)β(3), forming a strong and stable binding. PET/CT showed a significantly higher uptake of [(68)Ga]Ga-RGD in the infarcted area compared to sham one week (p < 0.001) and four weeks (p < 0.001) after MI. The uptake of [(68)Ga]Ga-RGD after one week correlated to end diastolic volume (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) and ejection fraction (r = − 0.71, p < 0.001) after four weeks. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that [(68)Ga]Ga-RGD has a high affinity for integrin α(v)β(3), which enables the evaluation of angiogenesis and remodeling. The [(68)Ga]Ga-RGD uptake after one week indicates that [(68)Ga]Ga-RGD may be used as an early predictor of cardiac functional parameters and possible development of heart failure after MI. These encouraging data supports the clinical translation and future use in MI patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12350-023-03265-9.