In vivo hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR spectroscopy in tumors

The first in vivo hyperpolarized Xe-129 NMR study in experimental tumors is presented. Hyperpolarized Xe-129 was dissolved in solutions, and was injected intratumorally in GH-3 prolactinomas in rats and RIF-1 fibrosarcomas in mice. The Xe-129 NMR spectra and apparent spin-lattice relaxation times in the two tumor types present characteristic differences. These differences are discussed in terms of xenon exchange between the carrier medium and the tissue compartments. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.