Hyperpolarized 13C Esters for Tissue Differentiation in MRI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing cancer lack specificity in distinguishing tumor tissue from healthy tissue, and there is a need for a technique that can effectively detect cancerous tissue and monitor treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
The use of hyperpolarized 13C esters, which are metabolized by carboxylesterase in cancer tissues to produce distinct signals different from those in healthy tissues, allowing for the detection of tumors and evaluation of treatment effectiveness through 13C-MR investigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional MRI or contrast-enhanced MRI is used, then images can be obtained in a non-invasive way, but the ability to specifically distinguish tumor tissue from healthy tissue is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the imaging agent by using hyperpolarized 13C-labeled esters with specific molecular structures that are substrates for carboxylesterase enzymes. This chemical parameter change enables specific metabolic tracking of tumor tissue, improving tissue differentiation capability while maintaining non-invasive MRI imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hyperpolarized 13C-labeled esters as intermediary metabolic markers that mediate between the MRI imaging system and the tumor tissue metabolism. These esters serve as specific substrates for carboxylesterase enzymes in tumor cells, enabling indirect detection of tumor tissue through their metabolic activity, thereby improving differentiation capability.
2Reliability
If hyperpolarized 13C-labeled esters are used as metabolic markers, then tumor tissue can be specifically detected through carboxylesterase metabolism, but the complexity of the imaging technique increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the endogenous carboxylesterase enzymes present in tumor tissue to automatically metabolize the administered hyperpolarized 13C-labeled ester substrates. The tumor tissue's own metabolic machinery performs the conversion, eliminating the need for external enzymatic systems or complex preparation procedures, thereby improving detection specificity while managing technical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of introducing complex external systems to detect tumor tissue, the patent inverts the approach by having the tumor tissue itself perform the detection function through its natural carboxylesterase enzyme activity. The tumor cells metabolize the substrate and produce detectable metabolites, turning the diagnostic function back to the tissue's inherent capability.
3Measurement precision
If conventional MRI methods are used, then non-invasive imaging is achieved, but the detection of early stage tumors and metastases is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hyperpolarized 13C-labeled esters as intermediary metabolic markers that mediate between the MRI imaging system and the tumor tissue metabolism. These esters serve as specific substrates for carboxylesterase enzymes in tumor cells, enabling indirect detection of tumor tissue through their metabolic activity, thereby improving differentiation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the imaging agent by using hyperpolarized 13C-labeled esters with specific molecular structures that are substrates for carboxylesterase enzymes. This chemical parameter change enables specific metabolic tracking of tumor tissue, improving tissue differentiation capability while maintaining non-invasive MRI imaging.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables selective differentiation between tumor and non-tumor tissues, providing valuable information for cancer diagnosis and monitoring the progression or treatment of tumors, including aggressive forms.
Implementation Method 1
hyperpolarized 13C esters, which are metabolized by carboxylesterase in cancer tissues to produce distinct signals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of Magnetic Resonance (MR) detection, in particular 13C-MR detection, by using a diagnostic medium comprising a hyperpolarized ester, in particular ethyl acetoacetate. The method comprises the detection of the MR signal of a hyperpolarized 13C carboxylic ester and of its respective hyperpolarized metabolite.