Current Methods for Hyperpolarized [1-¹³C]pyruvate MRI Human Studies

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Metabolic Imaging
• Biophysics

Background:

• Hyperpolarized (HP) 13C MRI measures localized metabolism altered in diseases like cancer, liver, heart, and kidney conditions.
• Human studies using HP 13C MRI have grown rapidly in the last decade due to improved agent preparation methods.
• This technique offers insights into in vivo metabolic processes crucial for disease diagnosis and monitoring.

Approach:

• This paper synthesizes current successful practices for human HP 13C MRI studies, focusing on [1-13C]pyruvate.
• It covers four critical areas: agent preparation, MRI system setup/calibration, data acquisition/reconstruction, and data analysis/quantification.
• The consensus document summarizes published studies, current practices, and identifies evidence gaps, strengths, and limitations.

Key Points:

• [1-13C]pyruvate is the most common HP agent, situated at a key junction in glycolysis.
• Standardized protocols for preparation, system calibration, acquisition, and analysis are essential for reliable results.
• The paper provides a comprehensive reference for advancing human metabolic imaging research.

Conclusions:

• HP 13C MRI, particularly with [1-13C]pyruvate, is a powerful tool for metabolic imaging in human diseases.
• Establishing consensus on best practices is crucial for the continued advancement and clinical translation of this technology.
• This work serves as a foundational reference for future research and consensus-building in the field of hyperpolarized MRI.