Groundbreaking PET Imaging Could Predict Heart Attacks Before They Strike

Dr. Chun Li, a leading professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center, has received the 2026 Drs. Jane & Abass Alavi Mars Shot Research Award. The $100,000 prize supports his innovative work in imaging vascular inflammation. His project aims to detect high-risk plaques in coronary artery disease before they trigger heart attacks or strokes.

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a major health burden, affecting over 18 million adults in the U.S. and causing more than 370,000 deaths each year. Current methods often fail to identify unstable plaques before they rupture. Dr. Li's research focuses on a novel PET radiotracer, ^64Cu-Db-CD11b, which binds specifically to inflammatory cells in these dangerous lesions.

The technology could transform how doctors assess and treat CAD. By using ^64Cu-Db-CD11b PET/CT scans, clinicians may pinpoint vulnerable plaques and track how they respond to anti-inflammatory therapies. Dr. Li's background in nanomedicine and molecular imaging positions him well for this challenge. His project, *Imaging vascular inflammation and response to therapy in atherosclerotic coronary artery disease*, was selected for its potential to improve risk prediction and treatment timing. The Mars Shot Research Fund, launched by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) in 2023, backs high-impact studies that push nuclear medicine toward clinical breakthroughs. Previous winners in 2023 included Julie L. Prior, Valentina Garousi, and David Minarik, whose work spanned theranostics, precision medicine, and PET imaging advances.

If successful, Dr. Li's approach could refine personalised cardiovascular care by offering clearer risk assessments and better-guided interventions. The award underscores the growing role of advanced imaging in tackling one of the world's leading causes of death. His findings may soon help doctors act before plaques become life-threatening.