CEST-MRI for body oncologic imaging: are we there yet?

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Oncology
• Molecular Imaging

Background:

• Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is a valuable tool for brain tumor characterization.
• Interest is growing in applying CEST-MRI to non-neurologic conditions, particularly body oncology.
• Translation to body imaging faces significant technical challenges compared to neuro-oncology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of CEST-MRI in oncologic conditions of the breast and torso.
• To highlight the challenges and potential solutions for body imaging with CEST-MRI.
• To discuss the potential of CEST-MRI as a predictive and prognostic biomarker in body oncology.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on CEST-MRI in breast and torso oncology.
• Discussion of technical challenges specific to body imaging (e.g., torso motion, signal heterogeneity).
• Exploration of potential technical solutions and advancements for CEST-MRI in body applications.

Main Results:

• Limited data suggest CEST signal correlates with tumor grade, receptor status, and proliferation index.
• These histological markers are often linked to patient prognosis and therapeutic response.
• CEST-MRI shows potential for non-invasive assessment of tumor biology in the body.

Conclusions:

• CEST-MRI holds promise for characterizing breast and torso cancers, potentially serving as a predictive and prognostic biomarker.
• Significant technical advancements are required to overcome current limitations for reliable clinical application in body imaging.
• Further research and development are essential to fully realize the potential of CEST-MRI in body oncology.