Hyperpolarized 13C Imaging of Serine Metabolism for Noninvasive Diagnostic Assessment of Lung Cancer
Abstract
The amino acid serine is abnormally consumed in high abundance by cancer cells to support their rapid growth and proliferation. In particular, previous studies have shown that lung cancer exhibits certain high addiction to consume this nutrient, and thus the ability to track the uptake and subsequent metabolism of serine in patients could provide important diagnostic information on lung cancer. In this project, we will utilize an emerging technology that can amplify the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals of serine by >10,000-fold. In this way, we can map out serine with superb clarity as it goes into the lung tumors and also potentially look at what happens to this nutrient as it is consumed by cells of either benign or malignant lung tissues. These potential capabilities imply that one can use serine to noninvasively diagnose whether a patient has benign or malignant lung tissues and furthermore, to potentially classify the aggressiveness of lung cancer. One of the main benefits of using serine as diagnostic imaging agent is that it will be relatively safe because we actually consume this nutrient in our body and it will be administered at the same normal concentration that we have in our cells. Moreover, compared to other cancer diagnostic techniques, this proposed diagnostic imaging does not have exposure of patients to radioactivity like PET (positron emission tomography) scan, ionizing radiation of CT (computed tomography) scan, or pain of needle biopsy. This study seeks to address at least two areas of emphasis of the Lung Cancer Research Program: (1) to identify or develop noninvasive or minimally invasive tools to improve the detection of the initial stages of lung cancer and (2) to understand the molecular mechanisms of initiation and progression to clinically significant lung cancer. Military personnel are at an elevated risk for lung cancer compared to their civilian counterparts due to work-related risks, i.e., fuel fumes, smoke, and other chemicals generated in combat environment. Combined with the fact that lung cancer takes decades to develop, it may occur more often among Veterans. This technology is still in its nascent stage, but if successful, this could provide a more definitive and accurate method of noninvasively assessing lung cancer. In the long run, the major impact of this study will be the reduction of mortality rate of both military and civilian lung cancer patients with early detection and clear-cut metabolic assessment of lung cancer using the latest and the best diagnostic imaging tool available.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 07, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1710303
Entities
People
- Lloyd Lumata
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Texas at Dallas