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Gain-of-function mutations of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene are among the most prevalent in low-grade gliomas and secondary glioblastoma. They lead to intracellular accumulation of the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate, represent an early pathogenic event and are considered a therapeutic target. Here we show, in this proof-of-concept study, that [1-(13)C] α-ketoglutarate can serve as a metabolic imaging agent for non-invasive, real-time, in vivo monitoring of mutant IDH1 activity, and can inform on IDH1 status. Using (13)C magnetic resonance spectroscopy in combination with dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization, the metabolic fate of hyperpolarized [1-(13)C] α-ketoglutarate is studied in isogenic glioblastoma cells that differ only in their IDH1 status. In lysates and tumours that express wild-type IDH1, only hyperpolarized [1-(13)C] α-ketoglutarate can be detected. In contrast, in cells that express mutant IDH1, hyperpolarized [1-(13)C] 2-hydroxyglutarate is also observed, both in cell lysates and in vivo in orthotopic tumours.