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Imaging the uptake and metabolism of glutamine in prostate tumor models using CEST MRI

  • 0Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Npj Imaging +

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August 1, 2025

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August 1, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI can visualize glutamine uptake and metabolism in preclinical prostate cancer models. This technique shows promise for distinguishing tumors with varying glutamine activity, aiding in clinical applications.

Area Of Science

  • Biomedical Imaging
  • Oncology
  • Metabolic Imaging

Background

  • Glutamine metabolism is crucial in cancer, but current imaging agents have limitations.
  • Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI offers a potential method to overcome these limitations.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the feasibility of using CEST MRI to image glutamine uptake and metabolism in preclinical prostate cancer models.
  • To assess the potential of CEST MRI to differentiate tumors based on glutamine metabolic activity.

Main Methods

  • Utilized CEST MRI at 11.7T to detect glutamine and its metabolites in phantoms and preclinical prostate cancer models (LNCaP and DU-145 cells).
  • Administered glutamine and measured CEST MRI enhancement in 3D cell cultures and in vivo tumors.
  • Employed mass spectrometry imaging to confirm glutamine uptake and metabolism.

Main Results

  • CEST MRI detected glutamine and its downstream products, with contrast increasing at lower pH.
  • LNCaP cells, exhibiting higher expression of key metabolic proteins, showed consistently higher CEST MRI enhancement after glutamine administration compared to DU-145 cells.
  • Mass spectrometry imaging corroborated higher glutamine uptake and metabolism in LNCaP tumors.

Conclusions

  • CEST MRI of glutamine can successfully image tumor uptake and metabolism in preclinical models.
  • This technique demonstrates the capability to distinguish between prostate tumor models with differing glutamine metabolic profiles.
  • CEST MRI of glutamine holds potential for clinical translation in cancer diagnostics and monitoring.