Hyperpolarized 13C MR for Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer

Hyperpolarization using dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization has emerged as a versatile method to dramatically improve the MR signal of low-sensitivity nuclei. This technique facilitates the study of real-time metabolism in vitro and in vivo using C-13-enriched substrates and has been applied to numerous models of human disease. In particular, several mechanisms underlying prostate cancer have been interrogated using hyperpolarized C-13 MR spectroscopy. This review highlights key metabolic shifts seen in prostate cancer, their study by hyperpolarized C-13 MR spectroscopy, and the development of new platforms for metabolic study.