INIRA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Imaging Neoangiogenesis In Rheumatoid Arthritis
IRAS ID
125743
Contact name
Toby Garrood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
Eudract number
2013-000433-12
ISRCTN Number
n/a
Research summary
Early detection of inflammation in the joints of patients with suspected Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is essential to early diagnosis which maximises the possibility of effective treatment in the long-term. Ultrasound can detect early inflammation in joints by imaging blood flow in the vessels of inflamed tissue and this has been shown to be predictive of diagnosis and outcome. However, ultrasound is relatively expensive, is time consuming and requires expertise not routinely available in rheumatology clinics. The aim of this project is to evaluate a novel technique for imaging joint inflammation in patients with RA. 99mTc-NC100692 is an agent which binds to a molecule expressed by inflamed blood vessels and cells seen in inflamed joints. It contains a radioactive component which can be visualised using equipment routinely available in most hospitals. The aim of this pilot project is to determine whether uptake of 99mTc-NC100692 is seen in inflamed joints in RA patients. Further aims of the study are to optimise the imaging protocol for patients with arthritis and to compare uptake seen with this technique with clinical examination and ultrasound imaging. If positive results are seen, a larger cross-sectional study will be planned to look for statistical correlation between the imaging modalities and clinical markers of inflammation. If successful this may lead to the development of a cost–effective and widely-available technique for the imaging of multiple joints in patients in a single scan which could be a valuable tool in the assessment and management of patients with early RA.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/SC/0305
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion