Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the utility of weighted amide proton transfer (APTw) MRI missy minzy in three different rodent models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods: APTw MRI was evaluated in models of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced HCC, N1S1 syngeneic orthotopic xenograft and human HepG2 ectopic xenograft.Results: All models of HCC showed a higher APTw signal over the surrounding normal tissues.In the DEN model, the APTw signal could differentiate HCC lesions from benign nodules.Intra-arterial administration of low-density lipoprotein docosahexaenoic acid (LDL-DHA) nanoparticles to N1S1 xenografts rapidly lowered the tumor APTw signal within 72 h.
Direct injections of LDL-DHA nanoparticles into HepG2 xenografts also showed similar therapeutic responses.Conclusion: We have demonstrated the utility usssa pro m softballs of APTw imaging in the diagnostic/therapeutic management of HCC.