Deuterium magnetic resonance imaging of tumors after in vivo deuterated water labeling to low total body water levels.

Motivation: Systemic deuterated water administration leads to higher cellular deuterium content and imaging contrast between proliferating tumor and healthy tissue. Goal(s): We previously showed excellent deuterium imaging contrast between xenografts and muscle at 9.4T with 7 days of 8% deuterated water in total body water (TBW), v/v. Clinical translation of this approach would benefit from lower TBW goals given volume, cost, and ease. Approach: We tested lower TBW deuterium levels and shorter duration of labeling in a xenograft model at 7T. Results: We demonstrate deuterium imaging contrast between tumors and muscle at 2 and 4% TBW without significant benefit from longer duration of labeling. Impact: Systemic administration of deuterated water can preferentially label tumors for dMRI. This approach has been tested in animal models, while clinical implementation in oncology warrants lower doses and shorter labeling durations. Thus, we tested clinically relevant deuterated water labeling schemas.