The ESPICA Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The "Evaluation of Somatostatin Receptor PET for Imaging Inflammation in Cardiac Amyloidosis (ESPICA)" Study.
IRAS ID
362540
Contact name
Andrej Corovic
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 27 days
Research summary
Cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a condition in which microscopic "amyloid" fibres of a naturally occurring protein found within the body, transthyretin (TTR), deposit within the heart. This causes the heart muscle to become stiffer, leading to a type of heart failure.
Evidence from previous research suggests that some patients with cardiac ATTR also have immune cells within the heart muscle, and that the presence of immune cells may have a role to play in the clinical course of the disease. However the exact role of such immune cells, and indeed whether they are a help or a hindrance, remains unknown.
As part of this research study we would like to test whether a non-invasive imaging technique called positron emission tomography (PET), specifically PET combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can be used to visualise immune cells within the hearts of patients with ATTR.
Our research at the University of Cambridge has been investigating a technique for visualising inflammation within the heart using an injected PET “radiotracer” (radioactive molecule) that is more specific for highlighting immune cells, called "DOTATATE”. This radiotracer is already in clinical use for looking at certain types of tumours, but we are using it to look at inflammation. In this study we aim to investigate whether this radiotracer can also identify inflammation in patients with cardiac ATTR.
Being able to identify inflammation associated with cardiac ATTR may have potential implications for the future management of patients with this condition, although there are no specific treatments available for such inflammation, even if found, at the present time.
There would therefore be no direct clinical benefit to participants from taking part in this study, but we hope that this research will help to further inform our understanding and non-invasive imaging of cardiac ATTR.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0264
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion