Dynamic 2H MRI-based quantification of leucine uptake in glioblastoma

Motivation: Glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumors are typically detected and demarcated using contrast-enhanced MRI, relying on contrast agent leakage through blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption to define tumor boundaries. However, new amino acid (AA) positron emission tomography (PET) methods have succeeded in detecting tumor cells directly, based on uptake of radiolabeled AA tracers. Goal(s): Here we were inspired by advances in AA PET and deuterium MRI to measure AA uptake with MRI. Approach: Using deuterium magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we dynamically quantify deuterated leucine uptake in a rodent model of GBM. Results: We demonstrate 2H MR measurement of enhanced deuterated leucine uptake in tumoral tissue. Impact: This proof-of-concept 2H amino acid MR study lays the foundation of a novel, accessible tool to directly image GBM tumors independent of BBB disruption.