Investigation of VAP-1 Expression and Tissue Blood Flow by PET-MRI in Patients With Crohn's Disease

Investigation of VAP-1 Expression and Tissue Blood Flow by Combined [68Ga]DOTA-Siglec-9 and [15O]H2O PET-MRI in Patients With Small Bowel's Crohn's Disease

This is an observational, single center, imaging study. The CD patients with active disease will be assessed by [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9 and [15O]H2O PET/MRE. Patients with high clinical suspicion of small intestine's CD in outpatient gastroenterology clinic of Turku University Hospital will be recruited. The patients must fulfil the eligibility criteria and give their signed approvement prior to their enrolment into the study.

20 patients with high suspicion of active small bowels CD will be enrolled to being evaluated for potential participation in this study. In patients with diagnosed small bowels CD, PET-MRE will be repeated 3 months after the initial imaging (and based on clinical diagnostic started medication) to verify disease remission/inadequacy of the treatment.

Assessments for CD clinical disease activity will be performed at screening and [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9 and [15O]H2O PET/MRE assessments will be performed within a month for each patient.

After PET/MRE all patients can be treated according to patients' needs with immunosuppressive drugs. Follow-up visits are organized at after PET/MRE imaging at gastroenterology outpatient clinic.

Patients with a strong suspicion of small bowel's CD after the colonoscopy and laboratory studies will be recruited to study protocol in the outpatient gastroenterology clinic of Turku University Hospital. After the signed informed consent patients will undergo combined [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9 and [15O]H2O PET/MRE, the MRE being part of their clinical diagnostics. If the MRE shows no signs/or mild inflammation of small intestine CD patients will be directed to small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE), which is routine in this clinical suspicion.

The patients will also have routine blood samples taken. A complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), alkaline phosphatase (AFOS) and albumin will be analysed from each patient's blood sample, calprotectin and faecal microbiota will be analysed from stool. The tissue samples for (immuno)histological evaluation, proteome-wide mass spectrometry allowing sensitive site-specific detection of ADP-ribosylation and structural protein analysis will also be obtained in primary ileocolonoscopy (biopsies from the bowel wall).

Before the PET study starts, the patients will undergo screening procedures with physical examination, chemistry panel (electrolytes, creatinine, liver function), and acute phase reactants (ESR, CRP) and urine tests. In addition, serum/plasma biomarker sample, serum sample for soluble VAP-1 analysis, whole blood RNA sample, and whole blood DNA sample for gene variant analyses will be collected.

In the combined PET/MRE scanning the study subjects lay in the prone position on the PET scanner bed, and the area of interest (AOI) is positioned in the gantry and in the field of view.

[68Ga]Ga-DOTA-Siglec-9 and [15O]H2O PET/MRE imaging will be performed in the fasting state (at least 6 hours). The patients will be instructed to avoid caffeinated drinks during the last 24-hours before the study. A catheter will be inserted in an antecubital vein for injection of PET radiopharmaceutical. Another catheter will be inserted in the opposite radial or antecubital vein for blood sampling and the subjects will be placed in supine position in the PET/MRE scanner, arms next to the body. Ideally, urinary bladder should be empty before PET/MRE scan. The uptake of tracer will be measured using PET and MRE will be performed for anatomical reference.

After PET scans, the patients with CD will be treated and followed by gastroenterologist according to the current guidelines.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults between age 18-70
• Strong clinical suspicion of small bowel Crohn's disease
• Able and willing to give written informed consent and to comply with the study protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or breast-feeding women
• Previous capsule retention
• X-ray investigations during preceding year
• Patients with metallic implants such as an electronic pacemaker or an implanted infusion pump
• Known stenosis of the GI-tract
• Evidence of significant uncontrolled concomitant diseases such as neurological, renal, hepatic, endocrine, or gastrointestinal disorders which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would preclude patient participation
• Is unable or unwilling to comply with the study protocol for any reason