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Amide Proton Transfer–Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Imaging of Intracranial Brain Tumors and Tumor-like Lesions: Our Experience and a Review

Authors :
Hirofumi Koike
Minoru Morikawa
Hideki Ishimaru
Reiko Ideguchi
Masataka Uetani
Mitsuharu Miyoshi
Source :
Diagnostics, Vol 13, Iss 5, p 914 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is a molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method that can generate image contrast based on the proton exchange between labeled protons in solutes and free, bulk water protons. Amide proton transfer (APT) imaging is the most frequently reported amide-proton-based CEST technique. It generates image contrast by reflecting the associations of mobile proteins and peptides resonating at 3.5 ppm downfield from water. Although the origin of the APT signal intensity in tumors is unclear, previous studies have suggested that the APT signal intensity is increased in brain tumors due to the increased mobile protein concentrations in malignant cells in association with an increased cellularity. High-grade tumors, which demonstrate a higher proliferation than low-grade tumors, have higher densities and numbers of cells (and higher concentrations of intracellular proteins and peptides) than low-grade tumors. APT-CEST imaging studies suggest that the APT-CEST signal intensity can be used to help differentiate between benign and malignant tumors and high-grade gliomas and low-grade gliomas as well as estimate the nature of lesions. In this review, we summarize the current applications and findings of the APT-CEST imaging of various brain tumors and tumor-like lesions. We report that APT-CEST imaging can provide additional information on intracranial brain tumors and tumor-like lesions compared to the information provided by conventional MRI methods, and that it can help indicate the nature of lesions, differentiate between benign and malignant lesions, and determine therapeutic effects. Future research could initiate or improve the lesion-specific clinical applicability of APT-CEST imaging for meningioma embolization, lipoma, leukoencephalopathy, tuberous sclerosis complex, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, and hippocampal sclerosis.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20754418
Volume :
13
Issue :
5
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Diagnostics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.3cd59f23a6ab41169c7487566dfdf3a8
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13050914