The first in vivo hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR study in experimental tumors is presented. Hyperpolarized 129Xe was dissolved in solutions, and was injected intratumorally in GH-3 prolactinomas in rats and RIF-1 fibrosarcomas in mice. The 129Xe NMR spectra and apparent spin-lattice relaxation times in the two tumor types present characteristic differences. These differences are discussed in terms of xenon exchange between the carrier medium and the tissue compartments.
Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.