The National Cancer Institute (CFDA 93.396 - Cancer Biology Research) awarded Loyola University of Chicago a $461,844 project grant titled "Hyperpolarized 13C Metabolic Imaging of Tumorigenesis in the Liver". The objective is to use novel hyperpolarized 13C probes to image glycolysis, a critical pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, and establish in vivo imaging biomarkers to assess altered liver metabolism during HCC progression. The project aims to synthesize a library of second-generation 13C-glycerate probes, analyze their physicochemical properties, and evaluate their ability to distinguish HCC from healthy liver using a DEN-induced rat model. The research team will compare glycolytic metrics across different pathological states, from baseline to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and HCC, to provide non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring HCC development. This innovative metabolic imaging approach seeks to improve diagnosis and assessment of liver disease progression.
Generated 8/13/24, 3:39 AM