Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) or spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) enables the detection of metabolites, amino acids, and lipids, among other biomolecules, in tumors of live mouse models of cancer. Tumor-bearing mice are anesthetized by breathing isoflurane in a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner dedicated to small animal MR. Here we describe the overall setup and steps for measuring 1H and 31P MRS and 1H MRSI of orthotopic breast tumor models in mice with surface coils. This protocol can be adapted to the use of volume coils to measure 1H and 31P MRS(I) of tumor models that grow inside the body. We address issues of animal handling, setting up the measurement, measurement options, and data analysis.
Keywords: Amino acid; Animal setup; Cancer; Chemical shift imaging; Lipid; Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging; Metabolite; Shimming.