ABSTRACT
Since the initial demonstration of the use of noninvasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in cancer two decades ago, MRS has found several preclinical and clinical applications in oncology. MRS is based on the detection of radiofrequency (RF) signals generated by magnetic nuclear spins precessing in an external magnetic field B0. Of all the nuclei H MRS has the highest sensitivity and is, therefore, the most widely used in preclinical and clinical studies. Proton spectra can be obtained with high temporal as well as spatial resolution. This is advantageous because tumor blood flow is typically heterogeneous and results in a heterogeneous distribution of oxygen, pH, and metabolites. In vivo proton spectra obtained from tumors contain several resonances. At longer echo times, metabolites such as total, total creatine, and lactate are detected. Proton spectroscopy has been used to investigate the effects of targeting choline kinase in preclinical studies of breast cancer.
