Hyperpolarized 13C MRI to Predict Response in Pancreatic Cancer

This study evaluates an investigational scan called hyperpolarized carbon-13 pyruvate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing treatment response in patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDA) that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). MRI is a standard scan that helps doctors see tumors, organs, tissue, and bone. Standard contrast agents (e.g., gadolinium) are sometimes used to help make the scan images brighter, or easier to see. Hyperpolarized carbon-13 pyruvate is an experimental contrast agent that is different from standard MRI contrast in that it provides information on how a tumor processes nutrients. Hyperpolarized carbon-13 pyruvate MRI scans may work better than MRI with standard contrast agents in predicting how PDA tumors respond to treatment.