Liu Qi Chen1,
Christy M. Howison2, Justin J. Jeffery2, Ian F. Robey3,
Marty Pagel2
1Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United
States; 2Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ,
United States; 3University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of
Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
We have developed a non-invasive MRI method that can accurately measure pHe to assess tumor acidosis, termed “acidoCEST MRI”. This method measures a ratio of the Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) effects of Iopromide (Ultravist®), a FDA approved contrast agent for X-ray/CT. We have applied acidoCEST MRI to monitor the effects of bicarbonate treatment on tumors of mammary carcinoma. Our method has strong clinical translation potential because it uses low saturation powers, incomplete saturation, and a clinically approved contrast agent.