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Hyperpolarized xenon
Hyperpolarized xenon is inhaled as a contrast agent that enhances magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by providing increased signal in lung tissue due to its nuclear spin polarization.
Hyperpolarized xenon is inhaled as a contrast agent that enhances magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by providing increased signal in lung tissue due to its nuclear spin polarization. Used for Pulmonary ventilation imaging in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Assessment of regional lung function and gas exchange abnormalities.
At a glance
| Generic name | Hyperpolarized xenon |
|---|---|
| Also known as | 129Xe |
| Sponsor | Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Drug class | Hyperpolarized contrast agent |
| Target | Xenon-129 nuclear spins |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Respiratory/Pulmonary Imaging |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Xenon-129 is hyperpolarized through optical pumping to achieve non-equilibrium spin alignment, dramatically increasing its MRI sensitivity compared to conventional imaging. When inhaled, the hyperpolarized xenon distributes throughout the lungs and can cross the alveolar-capillary membrane into red blood cells and tissue, providing detailed anatomical and functional information about pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange. This enables visualization of regional lung function without ionizing radiation.
Approved indications
- Pulmonary ventilation imaging in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Assessment of regional lung function and gas exchange abnormalities
Common side effects
- Minimal adverse events reported; xenon is inert and non-toxic
Key clinical trials
- Dissolved Phase HXe-129 MRI: A Novel Biomarker to Quantify Pulmonary Pathology (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Pulmonary Assessment in Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome Patients (NA)
- Xenon-129 and Inert Fluorinated Gas Lung MRI: Study of Healthy Volunteers and Participants With Pulmonary Disease (PHASE2)
- 129 Xenon MRI as a Biomarker for Diagnosis and Response to Therapy in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) (PHASE2)
- Pulmonary Hypertension SOLAR (PHASE2)
- Xenon MRI and Progressive ILD (PHASE2)
- 129 Xenon Imaging in Patients Treated With Sotatercept (PHASE2)
- Use of Hyperpolarized Xenon Gas for Lung Imaging in Children and Adults (PHASE1, PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Hyperpolarized xenon CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Hyperpolarized xenon updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust portfolio CI