A safer, radiation-free technique for metabolic cancer imaging by MRI

Metabolic imaging is a crucial medical procedure for cancer detection and evaluating treatment response. However, the ionising radiation involved in this procedure, positron emission tomography (PET), restricts frequent use and vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women. Therefore, there is a growing need for a safer, more accessible imaging method for cancer. MRI is the method of choice because it does not involve ionising radiation; however, standard-of-care MRI does not support metabolic imaging. The EIC-funded DDG-MRI project aims to address this issue by creating a new MRI technique that can provide PET-like images without ionising radiation. The technique involves a unique deoxy-glucose analogue and advanced MRI methods to detect cancer cells, offering patients a safer and quicker alternative.
DOI 10.3030/101185775