Molecular MRI for sensitive and specific detection of lung metastases

TLDR

Early and specific detection of metastatic cancer cells in the lung could significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes, yet current imaging methods rely on ionizing radiation and lack sensitivity or specificity. The study aims to develop an imaging method capable of detecting submillimeter‑sized lung metastases with molecular specificity. The approach uses iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with cancer‑binding ligands, which are visualized by high‑resolution hyperpolarized helium‑3 MRI. In vivo experiments in mice with breast adenocarcinoma cells show detection of pulmonary micrometastases, indicating promise for cancer imaging and a unique molecular imaging strategy for the lungs.

Abstract

Early and specific detection of metastatic cancer cells in the lung (the most common organ targeted by metastases) could significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes. However, the most widespread lung imaging methods use ionizing radiation and have low sensitivity and/or low specificity for cancer cells. Here we address this problem with an imaging method to detect submillimeter-sized metastases with molecular specificity. Cancer cells are targeted by iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with cancer-binding ligands, then imaged by high-resolution hyperpolarized (3)He MRI. We demonstrate in vivo detection of pulmonary micrometastates in mice injected with breast adenocarcinoma cells. The method not only holds promise for cancer imaging but more generally suggests a fundamentally unique approach to molecular imaging in the lungs.