Yann Jamin1, Cristina Gabellieri1, Lynette Smyth1, Steve Reynolds2, Simon P. Robinson1, Caroline J. Springer1, Martin O. Leach1, Geoffrey S. Payne1, Thomas R. Eykyn1
1Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden NHS trust, Sutton, UK; 2Oxford Instruments Molecular Biotools Ltd, Abingdon, UK
Carboxypeptidase G2 (CPG2) is used in cancer chemotherapy to activate selectively non toxic prodrugs into potent cytoxics in tumors. Employing Dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP) and natural abundance 13C MRS, we demonstrate the dynamic detection of CPG2 activity in vitro, using the reporter molecule 3,5-difluorobenzoyl-L-glutamic acid (3,5-DFBGlu). This strategy could be translated in vivo to monitor CPG2-based therapy.