6‐aminonicotinamide (6AN) has been shown to enhance radio‐sensitivity in vitro , although previous in vivo studies failed to show an effect. 31 P NMR spectra were obtained by using a one‐dimensional chemical shift imaging technique on a first generation transplant of the CD8FI spontaneous mammary carcinoma tumor model. Spectra were obtained both before and 10 h after treatment with 6AN (20 mg/kg). Changes in pH, nucleoside triphosphate/inorganic phosphate, and phosphocreatine/inorganic phosphate measured at 10 h post‐6AN were not significant. A new peak was detected 10 h post‐6AN, which was assigned to 6‐phosphogluconate (6PG), indicating inhibition of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Based on the spectral data demonstrating inhibition of the PPP at 10 h post‐6AN, tumor‐bearing mice were irradiated (15 Gy × 3 fractions) on Days 1, 10 or 11, and 21 10 h after administration of 6‐aminonicotinamide (20 mg/kg). Tumor‐bearing mice receiving 6AN alone (20 mg/kg × 3), radiation alone (15 Gy × 3), or saline were also studied. Tumor growth delay studies indicated that 6AN alone induced a small but significant tumor growth delay (4.3 ± 0.8 days). Radiation alone induced a tumor growth delay of 34.5 ± 2.7 days. Treatment with 6AN followed by radiation induced a tumor growth delay of 57.0 ± 3.8 days. This was significantly greater than the TGD values for treatment with 6AN alone or radiation ( P < 0.01). No complete regressions were noted after treatment with 6AN or radiation alone. Concomitant therapy with 6AN plus radiation yielded 6/28 complete regressions (21%), which was significantly greater than radiation ( P < 0.05) or 6AN alone ( P < 0.01) on this mammary carcinoma.

In this work a 5 x 5 mesh dome resonator that has been optimized for functional brain imaging is presented. The resonator was reduced in length and diameter compared with previous versions to reduce sample losses, thus enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio of the acquired data. In addition, a 5 x 5 mesh design was employed, which offered improved axial homogeneity over an earlier 3 x 3 mesh version. The new resonator exhibited high sensitivity and good homogeneity over the brain volume, permitting analysis of functional activation over large areas of the cerebral cortex. In a direct comparison with a standard clinical head-imaging resonator, the high sensitivity of the 5 x 5 mesh dome resonator resulted in greater statistical confidence in functional activation.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES:In vivo assessment of tumor vascular permeability may provide useful information for chemotherapy treatment planning or for the assessment of treatment effectiveness. We aimed to assess vascular permeability in two tumor sublines as well as changes in vascular permeability with tumor growth by using 19F magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS:An emulsion of perfluorotributylamine was used as a tumor extravascular contrast agent for 19F MRI. The amount of emulsion that leaked into tumor interstitial space was analyzed qualitatively with imaging. A quantitative study of vascular permeability was done with a separate group of tumors by use of Evans blue dye. RESULTS:One tumor type was more permeable to both perfluorotributylamine emulsion and Evans blue than was the second tumor type. The difference was attributed to a difference in surface area for exchange. In larger tumors of both types, pooling of large amounts of perfluorocarbon occurred and was assumed to be attributable to hemorrhage or blood flow stasis or both. CONCLUSION:19F MRI is capable of demonstrating the permeability of tumor vessels to macromolecular substances.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES.In-vivo assessment of tumor vascular volume may provide useful information for treatment planning or the assessment of treatment effectiveness. The goals of our study were to measure percent vascular volume in two experimental tumor sublines using 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to assess changes in tumor blood volume with growth. METHODS.An emulsion of perfluorotributylamine (FTBA) was used as a vascular contrast agent for 19F MRI. The amount of emulsion in the tumor vasculature was measured by 19F MRI and used to calculate percent vascular volume. A separate ex-vivo study of vascular volume was conducted using the dye Hoechst 33342. A total of five rats were studied by MRI and 14 by the ex-vivo method. RESULTS.The ranges of percent vascular volume values measured in the imaging and Hoechst dye studies were 2% to 9% and 1.25 to 7%, respectively. A trend toward decreasing percent vascular volume with increasing tumor volume was evident in one tumor subline. CONCLUSIONS.The quantitative 19F MRI technique was effective for measuring percent vascular volume and changes in vascular volume with growth.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES:Emulsions of perfluorocarbons (PFCs) have been tested as blood substitutes. However, evidence exists that there is long-term retention of some PFCs by the organs of the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The authors investigate organ retention of the blood substitute component, perfluorotripropylamine (FTPA), using fluorine-19 (19F) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).METHODS:Various dosages of an emulsion of FTPA were administered to five rats. At intervals up to 86 weeks after infusion, 19F MRI was used to measure the amount of FTPA in liver and spleen. The data were fit to both linear and exponential elimination models, and organ retention half-lives were calculated.RESULTS:The exponential half-lives for combined liver and spleen FTPA ranged from 110 to 190 days. Linear half-lives ranged from 175 to 300 days.CONCLUSIONS:FTPA retained by the liver and spleen may be quantified by 19F MRI: The half-lives that were measured are longer than those reported previously for FTPA.