Contradiction between amide-CEST signal and pH in breast cancer explained with metabolic MRI.

Purpose: Metabolic MRI is a noninvasive technique that can give new insights into understanding cancer metabolism and finding biomarkers to evaluate or monitor treatment plans. Using this technique, a previous study has shown an increase in pH during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) treatment, while recent observation in a different study showed a reduced amide proton transfer (APT) signal during NAC treatment (negative relation). These findings are counterintuitive, given the known intrinsic positive relation of APT signal to pH.

Early detection of changes in phospholipid metabolism during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 7T.

The purpose of this work was to investigate whether noninvasive early detection (after the first cycle) of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients was possible. P-MRSI at 7 T was used to determine different phosphor metabolites ratios and correlate this to pathological response. P-MRSI was performed in 12 breast cancer patients treated with NAC.

Homogeneous B for bilateral breast imaging at 7 T using a five dipole transmit array merged with a high density receive loop array.

To explore the use of five meandering dipole antennas in a multi-transmit setup, combined with a high density receive array for breast imaging at 7 T for improved penetration depth and more homogeneous B field. Five meandering dipole antennas and 30 receiver loops were positioned on two cups around the breasts. Finite difference time domain simulations were performed to evaluate RF safety limits of the transmit setup.

Amide chemical exchange saturation transfer at 7 T: a possible biomarker for detecting early response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Background: The purpose of this work was to investigate noninvasive early detection of treatment response of breast cancer patients to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) measurements sensitive to amide proton transfer (APT) at 7 T.

Methods: CEST images were acquired in 10 tumors of nine breast cancer patients treated with NAC. APT signals in the tumor, before and after the first cycle of NAC, were quantified using a three-pool Lorentzian fit of the z-spectra in the region of interest.