Hyperpolarized (13)C-pyruvate magnetic resonance imaging in cancer diagnostics

The use of hyperpolarized molecules allows one to obtain information about metabolism in both cells and animals; such a task represents a tremendous advancement with respect to the results achieved so far with in vivo NMR techniques. Pyruvate appears an excellent tumor biomarker as it allows the attainment of early diagnosis, stadiation and monitoring of response to therapy.

As pyruvate conversion to lactate in the glycolytic pathway is highly enhanced in tumor cells, the 1-(13)C-lactate levels after administration of hyperpolarized 1-(13)C-pyruvate are markedly higher in tumor tissues and depend on the type and grade of the tumor. This review covers the most recent research results (both in vitro and in vivo) about the use of hyperpolarized 1-(13)C-pyruvate for tumor localization, stadiation and for monitoring the response to therapy. The technique may find application in clinics, especially when other imaging modalities are of difficult applicability.

While (13)C-pyruvate has been shown to be the candidate of choice for metabolic imaging, high expectations are present in the scientific community to see if other hyperpolarized substrates could provide more specific and sensitive biomarkers. The use of hyperpolarized molecules will have a tremendous impact in the armory of diagnostic tools.