A biotin derivative of formula (I) (I) in which R is a peptide with the sequence VHPKQHRGGSKGC, linked to the succinimidyl ring through the -SH group of the C-terminal cysteine, which can be used in a method for detecting early atherosclerotic lesions in the blood vessels of a human subject, which method includes steps of a) forming a complex of this biotin derivative with avidin, neutravidin or streptavidin； b) parenterally administering the complex thus formed； c) subsequently, parenterally administering a chelating agent including a chelating moiety, a biotin moiety and a metal radionuclide, and d) subjecting the human subject to a diagnostic nuclear imaging technique； this biotin derivative can also be used in a method for treating a disease of a human patient characterized by an overexpression of VCAM-1, including inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases and neuroinflammatory diseases.
