VEGFR2-targeted ultrasound contrast agents such as BR55 will likely prove useful in human for the early detection of tumors as well as for the assessment of response to specific treatments.

Purpose:To develop and test a molecular imaging approach that uses ultrasonography (US) and a clinically translatable dual-targeted (P-and E-selectin) contrast agent (MB Selectin ) in the quantification of inflammation at the molecular level and to quantitatively correlate selectin-targeted US with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) in terms of visualization and quantification of different levels of inflammation in a murine acute colitis model. Materials and Methods:Animal studies were approved by the Institutional Admin- Results:MB Selectin showed strong attachment to both human and mouse P-and E-selectin compared with MB Control in vitro (P  .002). In vivo, US signal was significantly increased (P , .001) in mice with acute colitis (173.8 arbitrary units [au] 6 134.8 [standard deviation]) compared with control mice (5.0 au 6 4.5). US imaging signal strongly correlated with FDG uptake on PET/CT images (r = 0.89, P , .001). Ex vivo analysis enabled confirmation of inflammation in mice with acute colitis and high expression levels of P-and E-selectin in mucosal capillaries (P = .014). Conclusion:US with MB Selectin specifically enables detection and quantification of inflammation in a murine acute colitis model, leveraging the natural pathway of leukocyte recruitment in inflammatory tissue. US imaging with MB Selectin correlates well with FDG uptake at PET/CT imaging.

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Imaging performance of SonoVue was similar to or slightly better than that of Definity, but it was superior to Optison for the conditions used in this study.

Ultrasound molecular imaging of transient myocardial ischemia using dual selectin-targeted UCA is able to monitor the time course of expression of selectins after resolution of the ischemic event, paving the way for a large clinical diagnostic window.

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: BR38 shows a very good safety profile. It is characterized by a long persistence and low shadowing. BR38 is a promising ultrasound blood pool agent for noncardiac and cardiac applications including myocardial perfusion imaging.