Dichloroacetate induced intracellular acidification in glioblastoma: in vivo detection using AACID-CEST MRI at 9.4 Tesla

Intracellular pH (pHi) plays an important role in the maintenance of normal cell function, and is maintained within a narrow range by the activity of transporters located at the plasma membrane. Modulation of tumor pHi may influence proliferation, apoptosis, chemotherapy resistance, and thermosensitivity. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is a novel MRI contrast mechanism that is dependent on cellular pH. Amine and amide...