Hyperpolarized 13C magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Detects Early Changes in Tumor Metabolism Following Treatment with the Anti-Angiogenic Agent Bevacizumab

Sarah E. Bohndiek^1,2, De-en Hu^1,2, Mikko I. Kettunen^1,2, Kevin M. Brindle^1,2

Hyperpolarization is a new technique that can substantially increase the sensitivity of in vivo MRS measurements of 13C labeled metabolic substrates and their metabolites, promising new insights into tumor metabolism and rapid detection of treatment response. We show here that measurements of hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate and [1,4-13C2]fumarate metabolism in xenograft colorectal cancer models can detect altered tumor metabolism following treatment with the anti-angiogenic agent Bevacizumab. Our results suggest that hyperpolarized markers may inform on acute responses to anti-angiogenic therapy and more importantly, provide a means to differentiate responders and non-responders at an early stage in the treatment time course.