Hyperpolarized Carbon Metabolic Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (NCT07510607)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The main purpose of this study is to assess whether hyperpolarized carbon imaging in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients can be used to predict response to anti-CD20 disease modifying therapy. Study procedures will include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments with a hyperpolarized pyruvate sequence, clinical assessment as well as blood markers of disease progression. This method of imaging utilizes the Warburg effect, where innate immune cells utilize a metabolic shift to glycolysis instead of oxidative phosphorylation. In pre-clinical data, increased hyperpolarized lactate production has been found to be associated with increased microglial/macrophage infiltration in the brain. Although hyperpolarized carbon imaging in humans has been established and used in the field of oncology, this will be one of the first applications of hyperpolarized carbon the study of neuroinflammation in humans. We predict that hyperpolarized carbon imaging may have the potential to monitor and evaluate neuroinflammation in MS, and in particular the innate immune activation state that plays a role in MS progression. This imaging method may provide non-invasive monitoring of disease progression and therapy response for MS patients.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (5 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (16 items).
Location: Byers Hall — San Francisco, California
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion criteria:
- Treatment with corticosteroids within 30 days prior to screening.
- Patients unwilling or unable to undergo MR imaging, including patients with contra-indications to MRI, such as cardiac pacemakers or non-compatible intracranial vascular clips.
- Poorly controlled hypertension, defined as either systolic \>160 or diastolic \>110. The addition of anti-hypertensives to control blood pressure is allowed for eligibility determination.
- Congestive Heart Failure ≥ NYHA Class II.
- History of clinically significant EKG abnormalities, including QT prolongation or a family history of prolonged QT syndrome.
- Myocardial infarction within 6 months of study entry.
- Individuals who are pregnant. Individuals of childbearing potential (defined below) must agree to undergo a urine pregnancy test prior to participating in the study scans. Pregnant individuals are excluded because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse effects in the unborn child secondary to administration of HP 13C pyruvate to the study participant. A female is considered to not be of childbearing potential (regardless of sexual orientation, having undergone a tubal ligation, or remaining celibate by choice), if they meet either of the following two criteria: (1) has reached a postmenopausal state (≥ 12 continuous months of amenorrhea with no identified cause other than menopause); or (2) has undergone surgical sterilization (i.e., hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy for removal of uterus and/or ovaries).
- Individuals who are breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding individuals are excluded because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse effects in the unborn/nursing child secondary to administration of HP 13C pyruvate to the study participant. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding should be discontinued before administration of HP 13C pyruvate.
- Known hypersensitivity to HP 13C pyruvate or any of its excipients.
- History of cancer within five years of enrollment date and/or history of chemotherapy within two years of enrollment date.
- Any dental braces or permanent or undetachable metals in the jaw or face.
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Byers Hall — San Francisco, California
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.