ObjectivesPancreatic cancer (PCa) is treatable by surgery when detected at an early stage. Non-invasive imaging methods able to detect both established tumours and their precursor lesions are needed to select patients for surgery. We investigated here whether pancreatic preneoplasia could be detected prior to the development of invasive cancers in genetically engineered mouse models of PCa using metabolic imaging.DesignThe concentrations of alanine and lactate and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured in extracts prepared from the pancreas of animals at different stages of disease progression; from pancreatitis, through tissue with predominantly low-grade and then high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia and then tumour. 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (13C-MRSI) was used to measure non-invasively changes in 13C labelling of alanine and lactate with disease progression, following injection of hyperpolarised [1-13C]pyruvate.ResultsProgressive decreases in the alanine/lactate concentration ratio and ALT/LDH activity ratio with disease progression were accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the [1-13C]alanine/[1-13C]lactate signal ratio observed in 13C-MRSI images of the pancreas.ConclusionsMetabolic imaging with hyperpolarised [1-13C]pyruvate enables detection and monitoring of the progression of PCa precursor lesions. Translation of this MRI technique to the clinic has the potential to improve the management of patients at high risk of developing PCa.

Purpose: Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) is an emerging drug target for the treatment of heart disease, cocaine and alcohol dependence, and conditions caused by genetic polymorphisms in ALDH2. Noninvasive measurement of ALDH2 activity in vivo could inform the development of these drugs and accelerate their translation to the clinic. Methods: [1-13 C, U-2 H 5 ] ethanol was hyperpolarized using dynamic nuclear polarization, injected into mice and its oxidation in the liver monitored using 13 C MR spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging. Results: Oxidation of [1-13 C, U-2 H 5 ] ethanol to [1-13 C] acetate was observed. Saturation of the acetaldehyde resonance, which was below the level of detection in vivo, demonstrated that acetate was produced via acetaldehyde. Irreversible inhibition of ALDH2 activity with disulfiram resulted in a proportional decrease in the amplitude of the acetate resonance. Conclusion: 13 C magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements of hyperpolarized [1-13 C, U-2 H 5 ] ethanol oxidation allow real-time assessment of ALDH2 activity in liver in vivo. Magn

BackgroundGlycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a central regulator of cellular metabolism, development and growth. GSK3 activity was thought to oppose tumourigenesis, yet recent studies indicate that it may support tumour growth in some cancer types including in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). We examined the undefined role of GSK3 protein kinase activity in tissue from human NSCLC.MethodsThe expression and protein kinase activity of GSK3 was determined in 29 fresh frozen samples of human NSCLC and patient-matched normal lung tissue by quantitative immunoassay and western blotting for the phosphorylation of three distinct GSK3 substrates in situ (glycogen synthase, RelA and CRMP-2). The proliferation and sensitivity to the small-molecule GSK3 inhibitor; CHIR99021, of NSCLC cell lines (Hcc193, H1975, PC9 and A549) and non-neoplastic type II pneumocytes was further assessed in adherent culture.ResultsExpression and protein kinase activity of GSK3 was elevated in 41% of human NSCLC samples when compared to patient-matched control tissue. Phosphorylation of GSK3α/β at the inhibitory S21/9 residue was a poor biomarker for activity in tumour samples. The GSK3 inhibitor, CHIR99021 dose-dependently reduced the proliferation of three NSCLC cell lines yet was ineffective against type II pneumocytes.ConclusionNSCLC tumours with elevated GSK3 protein kinase activity may have evolved dependence on the kinase for sustained growth. Our results provide further important rationale for exploring the use of GSK3 inhibitors in treating NSCLC.