Resistance to Androgen Deprivation Leads to Altered Metabolism in Human and Murine Prostate Cancer Cell and Tumor Models.

Currently, no clinical methods reliably predict the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) that occurs almost universally in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. Hyperpolarized (HP) C magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could potentially detect the incipient emergence of CRPC based on early metabolic changes. To characterize metabolic shifts occurring upon the transition from androgen-dependent to castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa), the metabolism of [U-C]glucose and [U-C]glutamine was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Elevated Tumor Lactate and Efflux in High-grade Prostate Cancer demonstrated by Hyperpolarized C Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Prostate Tissue Slice Cultures.

Non-invasive assessment of the biological aggressiveness of prostate cancer (PCa) is needed for men with localized disease. Hyperpolarized (HP) C magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy is a powerful approach to image metabolism, specifically the conversion of HP [1-C]pyruvate to [1-C]lactate, catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Significant increase in tumor lactate was measured in high-grade PCa relative to benign and low-grade cancer, suggesting that HP C MR could distinguish low-risk (Gleason score ≤3 + 4) from high-risk (Gleason score ≥4 + 3) PCa.

Molecular detection of inflammation in cell models using hyperpolarized C-pyruvate.

The detection and treatment monitoring of inflammatory states remain challenging in part due to the multifactorial mechanisms of immune activation and spectrum of clinical manifestations. Currently, diagnostic strategies tend to be subjective and limited quantitative tools exist to monitor optimal treatment strategies. Pro-inflammatory M1 polarized macrophages exhibit a distinct metabolic glycolytic phenotype compared to the continuum of M2 polarization states.

Detection of Bacteria-Specific Metabolism Using Hyperpolarized [2-C]Pyruvate.

The differentiation of bacterial infection from other causes of inflammation is difficult in clinical practice and is critical where patient outcomes rely heavily on early interventions. In addition to physical exam and laboratory markers, several imaging modalities are frequently employed, but these techniques generally target the host immune response, rather than the living microorganisms themselves. Here, we describe a method to detect bacteria-specific metabolism using hyperpolarized (HP) C magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Non-invasive differentiation of benign renal tumors from clear cell renal cell carcinomas using clinically translatable hyperpolarized C pyruvate magnetic resonance.

Localized renal tumors are increasingly detected incidentally at imaging. Conventional imaging cannot reliably differentiate the 20% of these tumors that are benign from malignant renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), leading to unnecessary surgical resection and resulting morbidity associated with surgery. Here, we investigated hyperpolarized C pyruvate metabolism in live patient-derived renal tumor tissue slices using a novel magnetic resonance (MR) -compatible bioreactor platform.