In vivo imaging of glucose uptake and metabolism in tumors

Tumors display a greater reliance on glycolysis for energy production than normal tissues. We have developed a non-invasive method for imaging glucose uptake in vivo, which is based on magnetic resonance imaging, and allows the uptake of non-labeled glucose to be measured via the chemical exchange of protons between hydroxyl groups and water. This method differs from existing molecular imaging methods, as it permits detection of the delivery and uptake of a metabolically active compound at physiological quantities. We show that our technique, named glucose chemical exchange saturation transfer (glucoCEST), is sensitive to tumor glucose accumulation in colorectal tumor models, and can distinguish tumor types with differing metabolic characteristics and pathophysiology. The results of this study suggest that glucoCEST has potential as a useful and cost-effective method for characterizing disease and assessing response to therapy in the clinic.