Featured Publications
Translation of hyperpolarized [13C, 15N2]urea MRI for novel human brain perfusion studies
Authors: Kim Y, Chen HY, Nickles T, Shkliar I, Dang D, Slater J, Wang C, Gordon JW, Tan CT, Suszczynski C, Maddali S, Gaunt A, Chen R, Villanueva-Meyer J, Xu D, Larson PEZ, Kurhanewicz J, Bok RA, Chang S, Vigneron DB
Conclusions: We successfully developed and optimized a new SOP for the on-site production of sterile hyperpolarized (HP) urea for the first time, following Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines. To dissolve solid urea and achieve a DNP-compatible sample with ~9 M urea concentration, lactic acid was used as a solvent due to its similar physical properties to pyruvic acid (i.e., a self-glassing agent). The urea/lactic acid/electron paramagnetic agent (EPA) mixture, sterile water for injection (SWFI) for dissolution, and buffer for neutralization were prepared as described in the Methods section and loaded into a GE Pharmacy Kit. After regulatory approval the sterile HP [13C,15N2]urea probe, enabled unprecedented brain perfusion and BBB integrity MRI measurements.
Multivariate Framework of Metabolism in Advanced Prostate Cancer Using Whole Abdominal and Pelvic Hyperpolarized 13C MRI-A Correlative Study with Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Chen HY, de Kouchkovsky I, Bok RA, Ohliger MA, Wang ZJ, Gebrezgiabhier D, Nickles T, Carvajal L, Gordon JW, Larzon PEZ, Kurhanewicz J, Aggarwal R, Vigneron DB
Conclusions: Risk classifiers derived from select multiparametric HP features were significantly associated with clinically meaningful outcome measures in this small, heterogeneous patient cohort, strongly supporting further investigation into their prognostic values.
Development and First-in-Human Translation of Hyperpolarized [1-13C]Alpha-Ketoglutarate MR Spectroscopy in the Brain
Authors: Kim Y, Dang D, Slater J, Riselli A, Hong D, Gordon JW, Chang SM, Villanueva-Meyer JE, Autry AW, Escobar E, Andosca S, Chen HY, Tan CT, Suszczynski C, Maddali S, Bok RA, Vigneron DB
Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated the first-in-human feasibility and safety of hyperpolarized [1-13C]aKG MR metabolic spectroscopy in the brain, with successful detection of aKG and measurable downstream glutamate signal in healthy volunteers. These findings establish the technical and clinical feasibility of hyperpolarized [1-13C]aKG MRS and provide a foundation for translational studies of IDH-associated metabolism in patients with gliomas. Ongoing optimization of hyperpolarized signal, spatial encoding, and spectral specificity, together with studies in larger cohorts, will further enhance this approach’s utility and enable more comprehensive analysis for non-invasive metabolic assessment and longitudinal monitoring in neuro-oncology.
