Pancreatic cancer habitats using CEST pH Imaging, Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and R2* relaxivity at 7T

Motivation: Many cancer studies concentrate in isolated markers like oxygenation, pH or relaxivity measurements. We believe studying all biomarkers and its interactions as microenvironments is the key. Goal(s): Our goal is to build a library of multiparametric data with pH-derived habitats to aid treatment response in the future. Approach: Mice with flank implanted pancreatic tumors were imaged to estimate tumor volume, pH, R2* and susceptibility maps. All maps were compared using one-way ANOVA between two pH-derived habitats. Results: Significant differences in susceptibility and R2* were found between pH-derived habitats for large tumors. The same trend, without significant differences, was found in smaller tumors. Impact: The study of different tumor microenvironments defined by CEST-derived pH habitats was demonstrated. A larger subset of animals with different tumor volumes and other multiparametric data will help understand tumor microenvironment better and aid treatment response in the future.