Professor Kim Jin-Won’s team at Guro Hospital Cardiovascular Center

develops theranostic photoactivation technology

Research findings are published online in Circulation Research.

▲ (from right) Professor Kim Jin-Won, Guro Hospital Cardiovascular Center, and Doctoral Student Kim Jin-Hyuk

Professor Kim Jin-Won’s team at Guro Hospital Cardiovascular Center has successfully developed a catheter-targeted theranostic photoactivation technology designed to selectively treat and stabilize fatal atherosclerotic plaques through precise imaging.

The research team created a novel theranostic agent that combines a delivery system targeting specific receptors on atherosclerotic macrophages with a photosensitizer (Ce6), enabling selective delivery to targeted lesions. They achieved accurate diagnostic imaging using intravascular molecular imaging catheters while simultaneously promoting the regression and stabilization of inflammatory high-risk atherosclerotic plaques through the application of near-infrared light (Figure 1).

The therapeutic effects were validated through in vivo imaging using intravascular molecular imaging catheters. The primary mechanism of action was found to involve the induction of autophagy via photodynamic effects, which leads to the phagocytosis and removal of necrotic cells, alleviation of inflammation through cholesterol efflux, and stabilization of lesions by increasing collagen tissue (Figures 2 and 3).

Professor Kim, the corresponding author, stated, “Our research demonstrates the feasibility of precise imaging and targeted phototherapy for atherosclerosis using intravascular catheters. By elucidating the underlying mechanisms of phototherapy, we have identified new avenues for both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in cardiovascular disease.” He further highlighted the significance of the findings, saying, “We anticipate that this technology can overcome the challenges posed by traditional stent treatments, such as foreign body reactions.”

The research findings were initially published online in Circulation Research, a leading journal in basic cardiovascular research, with Doctoral Student Kim Jin-hyuk as the first author. Their formal publication in the journal then took place in the print issue on August 15. This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea.
Thesis title: Multimodal Imaging-Assisted Intravascular Theranostic Photoactivation on Atherosclerotic Plaque
Publication link: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.123.323970

<Figure 1>

Evaluation of precision theranostic photoactivation for inflammatory activity in fatal atherosclerotic plaques

<Figure 2>

Schematic diagram of the mechanism of targeted theranostic photoactivation

<Figure 3>

Tissue verification of the effects of targeted theranostic photoactivation