Application of in vivo MR methods in the study of breast cancer metabolism

Metabolism is altered during cell proliferation. Methods like MRI, diffusion and perfusion MRI, dynamic contrast enhanced MRI, MR elastography, in vivo MR spectroscopy and hyperpolarized MR have been evaluated for their potential to study breast tumor metabolism. This review discusses the changes in tumor microstructure, microenvironment, abnormal vasculature permeability etc. due to alterations in tumor metabolism monitored by various MRI methodologies. In addition, changes in metabolic pathways due to altered choline, phospholipid and energy metabolism can be detected using MR spectroscopy. In the last two decades, various in vivo MR methodologies have been evaluated for their potential in the study of cancer metabolism. During malignant transformation, metabolic alterations occur, leading to morphological and functional changes. Among various MR methods, in vivo MRS has been extensively used in breast cancer to study the metabolism of cells, tissues or whole organs. It provides biochemical information at the metabolite level. Altered choline, phospholipid and energy metabolism has been documented using proton (1H), phosphorus (31P) and carbon (13C) isotopes. Increased levels of choline ‐containing compounds, phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters in breast cancer, which are indicative of altered choline and phospholipid metabolism, have been reported using in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo NMR studies. These changes are reversed on successful therapy, which depends on the tre...
Source: NMR in Biomedicine - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: SPECIAL ISSUE REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research