New PET tracer aims to light up inflammation in joint and muscle diseases

NCT ID NCT03912428

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This early-phase study tested a new radioactive imaging drug called 11C-MC1 to see if it can help detect inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis or idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, as well as in healthy volunteers. Participants received PET/CT scans after an injection of the drug, and some also took celecoxib to see if it blocked the signal. The study was terminated early, so its findings are limited, but the goal was to develop a better way to visualize inflammation in the body.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

11C-MC1 (a radioactive imaging drug)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could lead to a better way to see inflammation in the body using PET scans, helping doctors diagnose and monitor conditions like arthritis and myositis.

What could go wrong

This was a very early (Phase 1) study that has already been terminated, so results are limited. The imaging drug is experimental and may not prove useful for routine diagnosis.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

idiopathic inflammatory myopathy inflammatory disease juvenile dermatomyositis myositis disease rheumatoid arthritis spondyloarthropathy

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

    Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States