GlucoCEST MRI in Oncology

The technique involves administration of glucose solution either orally or intravenously. This is metabolised and concentrated into the intracellular compartment rapidly, which can be detected by GlucoCEST MRI. The abnormally high glucose uptake demonstrated by certain tumours is therefore potential biomarkers. At present this is already being investigated in head and neck cancer patients using oral glucose in a separate study. In this proposal we aim to utilise intravenous administration of glucose, which has been shown in pre-clinical studies to improve GlucoCEST signal, and thus likely to increase the detectability of cancer.

This study aims to develop and assess GlucoCEST and other exchange-sensitive MRI measurements (denoted 'exchange-sensitive MRI' hereafter) using intravenous glucose in tumours and metastases, and evaluate its use as an imaging biomarker of tumour and treatment response. This project will:

• Establish an optimised bolus and infusion protocol of intravenous glucose to maximise exchange-sensitive MRI signal.
• Assess the reproducibility of exchange-sensitive MRI and initial proof-of-concept study in cancer patients
• Apply exchange-sensitive MRI in selected cancer types to assess its diagnostic and prognostic power.

The initial optimisation study involves investigating the optimal regime of intravenous glucose administration for obtaining the optimal exchange-sensitive MRI signal. The second stage will see exchange-sensitive MRI being applied to patients in different cancer groups to assess its ability for detecting cancer.

For the optimisation study, 20 healthy volunteers will be recruited. For the application study 80 patients (20 Hodgkin's lymphoma, 20 head and neck tumour, and 40 glioma) will be investigated. Most of these patients will be due for an MRI as part of their standard care pathway; in these cases exchange-sensitive MRI will be added to the standard imaging sequence. For those who are not otherwise due for MRI, both standard and exchange-sensitive MRI will be acquired.

It is expected that the data generated from this study will inform the design of larger trials and will provide the framework for an improved imaging pathway in certain cancer groups in the future.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy Volunteers:

• No previous history of cancer
• No known renal impairment or an eGFR within a standard reference value if there is a history of renal disease.
• Aged 18 or over with capacity to consent.
• Patient groups:

• Confirmed diagnosis of selected cancer types (head and neck, lymphoma and glioma)
• No known renal impairment or an eGFR within a standard reference value if there is a history of renal disease
• Aged 18 or over with capacity to consent.

Exclusion criteria

• For both groups:

• Confirmed diagnosis of selected cancer types (head and neck, lymphoma and glioma)
• Pregnancy
• Contradiction to MRI magnetic field (pacemaker, metallic implant, severe claustrophobia, etc)
• Allergy to MR contrast agent (Gadolinium)
• Adult with Impaired capacity
• Deranged renal function with eGFR