title: Magnetic resonance imaging techniques for monitoring changes in tumor oxygenation and blood flow.
abstract: The application of functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques to the measurement of oxygenation and blood flow in tumors is described. Gradient recalled echo MR imaging (GRE-MRI) offers a real-time noninvasive method for monitoring tumor response to vasomodulators such as carbogen (95% O2/5% CO2) breathing in attempts to overcome tumor hypoxia and improve treatment efficacy. Although the response is tumor-type dependent, increases in signal intensity of up to 100% have been observed in several animal tumor types. Responses are also seen in human tumors. The observed increases in GRE-MRI signal intensity are due to a combination of a reduction of deoxyhemoglobin in the blood causing changes in the MR imaging relaxation time T2* and changes in blood flow and may also reflect the capillary density. Thus, the magnitude of the GRE image intensity change gives an indication of the potential response of an individual tumor to treatments that aim to improve tissue oxygenation and therefore how the tumor may respond to therapy. In addition, carbogen breathing by the host has been shown to increase the uptake and efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in animal tumors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biochemistry, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stubbs
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000187:drug effects; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C011700:carbogen; C100003:deoxyhemoglobin; D010100:Oxygen