Cancer Metabolism and Tumor Heterogeneity: Imaging Perspectives Using MR Imaging and Spectroscopy. (9th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Gigin; Keshari, Kayvan R.; Park, Jae Mo
• Other Names: Malviya Gaurav Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Contrast media & molecular imaging. Volume 2017(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-10-09
• Subjects: Diagnostic imaging -- Periodicals; Magnetic resonance imaging -- Periodicals; Contrast media (Diagnostic imaging) -- Periodicals; Contrast Media -- Periodicals; Diagnostic Imaging -- Periodicals; Substances de contraste -- Périodiques; Diagnostics moléculaires -- Périodiques; Imagerie médicale; Substance de contraste; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.0754
• DOI: 10.1155/2017/6053879
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1555-4309

Abstract

Abstract : Cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to maintain viability via genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations, expressing overall dynamic heterogeneity. The complex relaxation mechanisms of nuclear spins provide unique and convertible tissue contrasts, making magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) pertinent imaging tools in both clinics and research. In this review, we summarized MR methods that visualize tumor characteristics and its metabolic phenotypes on an anatomical, microvascular, microstructural, microenvironmental, and metabolomics scale. The review will progress from the utilities of basic spin-relaxation contrasts in cancer imaging to more advanced imaging methods that measure tumor-distinctive parameters such as perfusion, water diffusion, magnetic susceptibility, oxygenation, acidosis, redox state, and cell death. Analytical methods to assess tumor heterogeneity are also reviewed in brief. Although the clinical utility of tumor heterogeneity from imaging is debatable, the quantification of tumor heterogeneity using functional and metabolic MR images with development of robust analytical methods and improved MR methods may offer more critical roles of tumor heterogeneity data in clinics. MRI/MRS can also provide insightful information on pharmacometabolomics, biomarker discovery, disease diagnosis and prognosis, and treatment response. With these future directions in mind, we anticipate the widespread utilization of these MR-based techniques in studying in vivo cancer biology to better address significant clinical needs.