Imaging metabolism of deuterated glucose in patients with primary brain tumors

Deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI), a combination of 2H MRSI with administration of a deuterated substrate, was used to map regional metabolism of [6,6’-2H2]-glucose in 24 patients with multiple types of brain tumors. DMI data were acquired 70-90 minutes after oral intake of the deuterated glucose and revealed strong tumor-to-brain image contrast in high-grade tumors. Our metric, based on the labeling of specific glucose metabolites, reflects the canonical glucose metabolism in aggressive tumors – the Warburg Effect. The Warburg Effect appears higher in high-grade tumors and showed potential as a biomarker of treatment effect.