Correlation of BOLD MRI with measures of tumor hypoxia in prostate cancer

Introduction: Tumor oxygen concentrations have prognostic and therapeutic implications in men with prostate cancer. A priori information on tumor oxygenation can be derived by using either Eppendorf measurements or taking additional biopsies after 2-nitroimidazole administration. However, widespread application of these techniques is limited as they are invasive and fail to provide spatial/volumetric information. Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) MRI has been proposed for noninvasive three-dimensional characterization of oxygenation. This promising technique requires development and validation against gold-sta…