Hyperpolarized imaging agents enable unprecedented magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of metabolism and molecular markers in vivo by providing signal enhancement of over 10,000-fold, allowing MRI to detect low-concentrated molecules. Clinical translation of this technique has recently been demonstrated with [1-13C]-pyruvate as the first step for metabolic MRI, with outstanding predictive detection of cancer progression for personalized therapy in patients. Hyperpolarized MRI (HP-MRI) is currently implemented at the preclinical stage at the four DKTK partner sites Freiburg, Heidelberg, Munich, and Tubingen. 

In this Joint Funding project, we combine our expertise in the acquisition and reconstruction of HP-MRI signals of various 13C- and 129Xe-labeled reporters with the development of new contrast mechanisms using tailored agents to visualize functional and prognostic hallmarks of cancer non-invasively without ionizing radiation. On the technical side, we will develop methods to produce hyperpolarized agents fast and at a low cost, overcoming shortcomings of current instrumentation that severely limit the translation of this promising technique. We will develop novel agents and tailored imaging strategies to monitor cancer metabolism, pH, oxidative stress, hypoxia, and the tumor microenvironment. We will demonstrate the value of the new types of hyperpolarized MR contrast for diagnosis, prognosis, and early detection of therapy response in preclinical studies. We aim at initiating the first HP-MRI of [1,2-13C2]-pyruvate in patients with glioma and breast cancer within the funding period. 

Ultimately, with this new DKTK new collaborative DKTK project, we establish an expert panel for efficiently translating new HP-MRI developments into preclinical research and clinics. We provide insights into tumor hallmarks that are direly needed for longitudinal monitoring, personalized therapy, and future diagnostics.