Multimodal imaging of tumor metabolism and microenvironment in feline sarcoma patients using hyperpolarized 13C MRI and PET
Motivation: Sarcomas are a rare but diverse cancer type with heterogeneous metabolic signatures. Their stratification is difficult, which limits treatment selection, therapy development and reliable patient prognosis. Goal(s): To demonstrate the feasibility of combined hyperpolarized 13C MRI and PET to differentiate sarcoma subtypes and to identify prognostic imaging biomarkers. Approach: Sarcoma cat patients were recruited, underwent PET/MR imaging and were followed-up several years post-surgery. Results: Hyperpolarized 13C MRI of pH and pyruvate metabolism allow subtype and tumor grade differentiation while [18F]FMISO-PET and DWI do not. Image-derived tumor acidification appears to be predictive for patient outcome. Correlations between parameters reveal hypoxia-driven metabolism and related acidification. Impact: Hyperpolarized 13C MRI allows sarcoma subtype and grade differentiation in cat patients in contrast to [18F]FMISO-PET and DWI. Acidification outperforms all other parameters as biomarker for cat patient prognosis, rendering hyperpolarized pH imaging a promising technique for clinical translation.
Authors
- Markus Schwaiger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2305-7144)
- Katja Steiger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7269-5433)
- Jorge Cabello (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2042-616X)
- Christine Baumgartner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2296-9632)
- Christian Lohrmann
- Stephanie Kahl
- Johannes Hirschberger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1382-6114)
- Martin Grashei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5019-9359)
- Elisabeth Bliemsrieder
- Susan Notohamiprodjo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1312-1245)
- Silke Baer
- Franz Schilling (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5239-4628)
- Frits H. A. van Heijster (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0814-5189)
- Wolfgang Weber (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7854-4345)
- Tanja Groll (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9049-9145)
- Andre Wendlinger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2056-8752)
- Pascal Wodtke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6109-4261)
- Andrea Meyer‐Lindenberg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6137-3773)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Proceedings on CD-ROM - International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Scientific Meeting and Exhibition/Proceedings of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Scientific Meeting and Exhibition
- Published
- 2025-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.58530/2025/1944
- Primary Topic
- Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00