Study on Using HP Pyruvate MRI to Detect and Understand Cancers

Program Overview

This study is testing a new way to use MRI scans to look at how cancer cells use energy differently from normal cells. Cancer cells often use more sugar and convert it into a substance called lactate. This process can be seen using a special type of MRI scan called hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate MRI. This scan uses a safe form of carbon linked to pyruvate to help visualize how cancer cells are behaving. The goal is to see if this method can help detect and understand different types of cancer more effectively.

Description

Cancer cells often change the way they process energy, using more sugar and producing more lactate than normal cells. This study is exploring a new imaging technique that uses a special form of MRI scan to see these changes in cancer cells. The scan uses hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate, which helps to visualize how cancer cells convert pyruvate to lactate. This process is known as the Warburg effect and is common in many types of cancer. By using this imaging method, researchers hope to get a better picture of how tumors are behaving and how they are affecting the body's metabolism. This could lead to improved ways to detect and understand different types of cancer.

Eligibility Criteria