Glucosamine and N-acetyl glucosamine as new CEST MRI agents for molecular imaging of tumors

Michal Rivlin, Gil Navon*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The efficacy of glucosamine (GlcN) and N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc) as agents for chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance molecular imaging of tumors is demonstrated. Both agents reflect the metabolic activity and malignancy of the tumors. The method was tested in two types of tumors implanted orthotopically in mice: 4T 1 (mouse mammary cancer cells) and MCF7 (human mammary cancer cells). 4T 1 is a more aggressive type of tumor than MCF7 and exhibited a larger CEST effect. Two methods of administration of the agents, intravenous (IV) and oral (PO), gave similar results. The CEST MRI observation of lung metastasis was confirmed by histology. The potential of the clinical application of CEST MRI with these agents for cancer diagnosis is strengthened by their lack of toxicity as can be indicated from their wide use as food supplements.

Original languageEnglish
Article number32648
JournalScientific Reports
Volume6
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 Sep 2016

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