A comparison of exogenous and endogenous CEST MRI methods for evaluating in vivo pH

摘要

PurposeExtracellular pH (pHe) is an important biomarker for cancer cell metabolism. AcidoCEST MRI uses the contrast agent iopamidol to create spatial maps of pHe. Measurements of amide proton transfer exchange rates (kex) from endogenous CEST MRI were compared to pHe measurements by exogenous acidoCEST MRI to determine whether endogenous kex could be used as a proxy for pHe measurements.