Magnetic resonance imaging of tumor glycolysis using hyperpolarized (13)C-labeled glucose

Glycolysis in murine lymphoma and lung tumors was monitored by measuring the conversion of hyperpolarized [U-(2)H, U-(13)C]glucose to lactate using (13)C magnetic resonance spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging. Labeled lactate was only observed in tumors, and not in surrounding normal tissue or in other tissues in the body, and was markedly decreased at 24 h after treatment with a chemotherapeutic drug. Production of 6-phosphogluconate in the pentose phosphate pathway was also detected. The technique could provide a new way of detecting early evidence of tumor treatment response in the clinic and of monitoring tumor pentose phosphate pathway activity.