Basics of CEST Agents for Cancer and Kidney Imaging Using MRI

Explore a novel magnetic resonance imaging technique called Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) and its applications in understanding kidney physiology and cancer metabolism. Delve into the advantages of CEST agents, including their switchable contrast mechanism and ability to encode color for agent discrimination. Learn about Amide Proton Transfer (APT) and its role in detecting proteins and peptides in cancer cells. Discover the optimal conditions for preclinical and clinical scanners, and examine the use of salicylic acid-based IM-SHY probes in medical imaging. Investigate CEST MRI spectra for aspirin and its metabolites, and understand how CEST agents can provide pH-sensitive contrast. Explore the application of CEST MRI in kidney imaging, where traditional pH measurement methods are challenging. Compare contrast-enhanced CT urography with CEST MRI for functional imaging. Learn about the calibration process using iopamidol phantoms in human serum. Examine potential applications in conditions such as Methyl Malonic Acidemia. Gain insights into CEST MRI as a powerful tool for molecular and cellular imaging in therapeutic radiology.

Intro
Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) Switchable MRI contrast mechanism
One nice feature for exogenous CEST agents compared to relaxa Capability of encoding color to discriminate between agent
Amide Proton Transfer (APT): Detecting proteins & peptides in cancer cells
After initial studies, we realized we wanted larger proton chemic What is optimal for Preclinical vs Clinical scanners?
How can we use salicylic acid based IM-SHY probes medical imaging application?
CEST MRI spectra for aspirin and metabolites
Experiment 2
Another nice feature of CEST agents: the contrast is often pH sensitive contrast
One organ that is inconvenient for pH electrodes an pH measurement should be useful: Kidneys
Contrast enhanced CT urography can d functional differences but not quantify • CT is in widespread use for abdominal imaging which presents advantages.
We calibrate the ratiometric contrast using a phantom of iopamidol in human serum
One application which might benefit from pH imaging: Methyl Malonic Acidemia
Overall Summary: CEST MRI is a new tool for molecular imaging with utility for molecular and cellular imaging.