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Predicting Clinical Efficacy of Vascular Disrupting Agents in Rodent Models of Primary and Secondary Liver Cancers: An Overview with Imaging-Histopathology Correlation. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10020078. [PMID: 32024029 PMCID: PMC7168934 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10020078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) have entered clinical trials for over 15 years. As the leading VDA, combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) has been evaluated in combination with chemotherapy and molecular targeting agents among patients with ovarian cancer, lung cancer and thyroid cancer, but still remains rarely explored in human liver cancers. To overcome tumor residues and regrowth after CA4P monotherapy, a novel dual targeting pan-anticancer theragnostic strategy, i.e., OncoCiDia, has been developed and shown promise previously in secondary liver tumor models. Animal model of primary liver cancer is time consuming to induce, but of value for more closely mimicking human liver cancers in terms of tumor angiogenesis, histopathological heterogeneity, cellular differentiation, tumor components, cancer progression and therapeutic response. Being increasingly adopted in VDA researches, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides imaging biomarkers to reflect in vivo tumor responses to drugs. In this article as a chapter of a doctoral thesis, we overview the construction and clinical relevance of primary and secondary liver cancer models in rodents. Target selection for CA4P therapy assisted by enhanced MRI using hepatobiliary contrast agents (CAs), and therapeutic efficacy evaluated by using MRI with a non-specific contrast agent, dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) imaging, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) are also described. We then summarize diverse responses among primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), secondary liver and pancreatic tumors to CA4P, which appeared to be related to tumor size, vascularity, and cellular differentiation. In general, imaging-histopathology correlation studies allow to conclude that CA4P tends to be more effective in secondary liver tumors and in more differentiated HCCs, but less effective in less differentiated HCCs and implanted pancreatic tumor. Notably, cirrhotic liver may be responsive to CA4P as well. All these could be instructive for future clinical trials of VDAs.
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Liu Y, Guan Q, Kong X, De Keyzer F, Feng Y, Chen F, Yu J, Liu J, Song S, van Pelt J, Swinnen J, Bormans G, Oyen R, Wang S, Huang G, Ni Y, Li Y. Predicting Therapeutic Efficacy of Vascular Disrupting Agent CA4P in Rats with Liver Tumors by Hepatobiliary Contrast Agent Mn-DPDP-Enhanced MRI. Transl Oncol 2019; 13:92-101. [PMID: 31810003 PMCID: PMC6909075 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate hepatobiliary-specific contrast agent (CA) mangafodipir trisodium (Mn-DPDP)–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of the vascular disrupting agent combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) in rats with primary and secondary liver tumors, 36 primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were raised by diethylnitrosamine gavage in 16 male rats, in 6 of which one rhabdomyosarcomas (R1) was intrahepatically implanted as secondary liver tumors. On a 3.0T MR scanner with a wrist coil, tumors were monitored weekly by T2-/T1-weighted images (T2WI/T1WI) and characterized by Mn-DPDP-enhanced MRI. CA4P-induced intratumoral necrosis was depicted by nonspecific gadoterate meglumine (Gd-DOTA)–enhanced MRI before and 12 h after therapy. Changes of tumor-to-liver contrast (ΔT/L) on Mn-DPDP-enhanced images were analyzed. In vivo MRI findings were verified by postmortem microangiography and histopathology. Rat models of primary HCCs in a full spectrum of differentiation and secondary R1 liver tumors were successfully generated. Mn-DPDP-enhanced ΔT/L was negatively correlated with HCC differentiation grade (P < 0.01). After treatment with CA4P, more extensive tumoral necrosis was found in highly differentiated HCCs than that in moderately and poorly differentiated ones (P < 0.01); nearly complete necrosis was induced in secondary liver tumors. Mn-DPDP-enhanced MRI may help in imaging diagnosis of primary and secondary liver malignancies of different cellular differentiations and further in predicting CA4P therapeutic efficacy in primary HCCs and intrahepatic metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yewei Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium; Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) & Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qiu Guan
- College of Computer Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xiangyong Kong
- College of Computer Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | | | - Yuanbo Feng
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Feng Chen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jie Yu
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Shaoli Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jos van Pelt
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Johan Swinnen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Guy Bormans
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Raymond Oyen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Shuncong Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Gang Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) & Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Yicheng Ni
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Yue Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
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Liu YW, De Keyzer F, Feng YB, Chen F, Song SL, Swinnen J, Bormans G, Oyen R, Huang G, Ni YC. Intra-individual comparison of therapeutic responses to vascular disrupting agent CA4P between rodent primary and secondary liver cancers. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:2710-2721. [PMID: 29991876 PMCID: PMC6034151 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i25.2710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To compare therapeutic responses of a vascular-disrupting-agent, combretastatin-A4-phosphate (CA4P), among hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and implanted rhabdomyosarcoma (R1) in the same rats by magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI), microangiography and histopathology.
METHODS Thirty-six HCCs were created by diethylnitrosamine gavage in 14 rats that were also intrahepatically implanted with one R1 per rat as monitored by T2-/T1-weighted images (T2WI/T1WI) on a 3.0T clinical MRI-scanner. Vascular response and tumoral necrosis were detected by dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-) and CE-MRI before, 1 h after and 12 h after CA4P iv at 10 mg/kg (treatment group n = 7) or phosphate-buffered saline at 1.0 mL/kg (control group n = 7). Tumor blood supply was calculated by a semiquantitative DCE parameter of area under the time signal intensity curve (AUC30). In vivo MRI findings were verified by postmortem techniques.
RESULTS On CE-T1WIs, unlike the negative response in all tumors of control animals, in treatment group CA4P caused rapid extensive vascular shutdown in all R1-tumors, but mildly or spottily in HCCs at 1 h. Consequently, tumor necrosis occurred massively in R1-tumors but patchily in HCCs at 12 h. AUC30 revealed vascular closure (66%) in R1-tumors at 1 h (P < 0.05), followed by further perfusion decrease at 12 h (P < 0.01), while less significant vascular clogging occurred in HCCs. Histomorphologically, CA4P induced more extensive necrosis in R1-tumors (92.6%) than in HCCs (50.2%) (P < 0.01); tumor vascularity heterogeneously scored +~+++ in HCCs but homogeneously scored ++ in R1-tumors.
CONCLUSION This study suggests superior performance of CA4P in metastatic over primary liver cancers, which could guide future clinical applications of vascular-disrupting-agents.
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MESH Headings
- Angiography
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood supply
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/chemically induced
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Contrast Media/administration & dosage
- Diethylnitrosamine/toxicity
- Humans
- Liver/diagnostic imaging
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/blood supply
- Liver Neoplasms/chemically induced
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/chemically induced
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/diagnostic imaging
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
- Male
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology
- Rats
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/blood supply
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/drug therapy
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/pathology
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/secondary
- Stilbenes/pharmacology
- Stilbenes/therapeutic use
- Treatment Outcome
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Wei Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) & Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200025, China
| | | | - Yuan-Bo Feng
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Feng Chen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Shao-Li Song
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Johan Swinnen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Guy Bormans
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Raymond Oyen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Gang Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) & Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yi-Cheng Ni
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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Kang W, Lim JS, Park MS, Koh GY, Kim H. Antiangiogenic Therapy Induces Hepatic Tumor Vascular Network Rearrangement to Receive Perfusion via the Portal Vein and Hepatic Artery. J Vasc Res 2016; 53:72-82. [PMID: 27643516 DOI: 10.1159/000448734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatic malignancies can easily develop resistance to antiangiogenic therapy, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. This study explores whether antiangiogenic therapy influences the tumor vascular network and/or the vessels feeding the hepatic tumor. METHODS Mice implanted with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells were subcutaneously injected 3 times (once every other day starting 1 week after LLC implantation) with either an antiangiogenic agent [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-Trap] or control agent (bovine serum albumin) at a dose of 25 mg/kg before performing angiography. Hepatic arteriography and portography were performed using a vascular cast method with vascular latex. RESULTS Arteriography of the control-treated LLC-implanted mice showed marked staining of the mass with a prominent feeding artery, suggesting that the tumor is supplied by arterial perfusion. No significant staining was observed on portography. By contrast, 33% (n = 3/9) of the LLC-implanted mice treated with the antiangiogenic agent VEGF-Trap showed intratumoral staining during portography, indicating that these tumors received perfusion via the portal vein. CONCLUSION Antiangiogenic treatment can induce rearrangement of the hepatic tumor vascular network to establish communication with the portal vein. This implies that hepatic tumors can develop resistance to antiangiogenic therapy by maintaining perfusion through portal venous perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonseok Kang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Dynamic contrast enhanced MR imaging for evaluation of angiogenesis of hepatocellular nodules in liver cirrhosis in N-nitrosodiethylamine induced rat model. Eur Radiol 2016; 27:2086-2094. [PMID: 27488851 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-016-4505-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether dynamic contrast -enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) can distinguish the type of liver nodules in a rat model with N-nitrosodiethylamine- induced cirrhosis. METHODS Liver nodules in cirrhosis were induced in 60 male Wistar rats via 0.01 % N-nitrosodiethylamine in the drinking water for 35-100 days. The nodules were divided into three groups: regenerative nodule (RN), dysplastic nodule (DN), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). DCE-MRI was performed, and parameters including transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (Kep), extravascular extracellular space volume fraction (Ve), and initial area under the contrast concentration versus time curve (iAUC) were measured and compared. RESULTS The highest Ktrans and iAUC values were seen in HCC, followed by DN and RN (all P < 0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for DN and HCC were 0.738 and 0.728 for Ktrans and iAUC, respectively. The AUROC for HCC were 0.850 and 0.840 for Ktrans and iAUC, respectively. Ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that Ktrans had a high goodness of fit (0.970, 95 % confidence interval, 13.751-24.958). CONCLUSION DCE-MRI is a promising method to differentiate of liver nodules. Elevated Ktrans suggested that the nodules may be transformed into HCC. KEY POINTS • DCE-MRI is promising for differentiating among RN, DN, and HCC • K trans and iAUC positively correlated with malignancy degree of liver nodules • Elevated K trans suggests that the nodules may be transformed into HCC.
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Liu Y, Yin T, Feng Y, Cona MM, Huang G, Liu J, Song S, Jiang Y, Xia Q, Swinnen JV, Bormans G, Himmelreich U, Oyen R, Ni Y. Mammalian models of chemically induced primary malignancies exploitable for imaging-based preclinical theragnostic research. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2015; 5:708-29. [PMID: 26682141 PMCID: PMC4671963 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2223-4292.2015.06.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Compared with transplanted tumor models or genetically engineered cancer models, chemically induced primary malignancies in experimental animals can mimic the clinical cancer progress from the early stage on. Cancer caused by chemical carcinogens generally develops through three phases namely initiation, promotion and progression. Based on different mechanisms, chemical carcinogens can be divided into genotoxic and non-genotoxic ones, or complete and incomplete ones, usually with an organ-specific property. Chemical carcinogens can be classified upon their origins such as environmental pollutants, cooked meat derived carcinogens, N-nitroso compounds, food additives, antineoplastic agents, naturally occurring substances and synthetic carcinogens, etc. Carcinogen-induced models of primary cancers can be used to evaluate the diagnostic/therapeutic effects of candidate drugs, investigate the biological influential factors, explore preventive measures for carcinogenicity, and better understand molecular mechanisms involved in tumor initiation, promotion and progression. Among commonly adopted cancer models, chemically induced primary malignancies in mammals have several advantages including the easy procedures, fruitful tumor generation and high analogy to clinical human primary cancers. However, in addition to the time-consuming process, the major drawback of chemical carcinogenesis for translational research is the difficulty in noninvasive tumor burden assessment in small animals. Like human cancers, tumors occur unpredictably also among animals in terms of timing, location and the number of lesions. Thanks to the availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with various advantages such as ionizing-free scanning, superb soft tissue contrast, multi-parametric information, and utility of diverse contrast agents, now a workable solution to this bottleneck problem is to apply MRI for noninvasive detection, diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring on those otherwise uncontrollable animal models with primary cancers. Moreover, it is foreseeable that the combined use of chemically induced primary cancer models and molecular imaging techniques may help to develop new anticancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Kim SK, Kim H, Koh GY, Lim DS, Yu DY, Kim MD, Park MS, Lim JS. Mouse Hepatic Tumor Vascular Imaging by Experimental Selective Angiography. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131687. [PMID: 26131558 PMCID: PMC4489182 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has unique vascular features, which require selective imaging of hepatic arterial perfusion and portal venous perfusion with vascular catheterization for sufficient evaluation. Unlike in humans, vessels in mice are too small to catheterize, and the importance of separately imaging the feeding vessels of tumors is frequently overlooked in hepatic tumor models. The purpose of this study was to perform selective latex angiography in several mouse liver tumor models and assess their suitability. MATERIALS AND METHODS In several ectopic (Lewis lung carcinoma, B16/F10 melanoma cell lines) and spontaneous liver tumor (Albumin-Cre/MST1fl/fl/MST2fl/fl, Albumin-Cre/WW45fl/fl, and H-ras12V genetically modified mouse) models, the heart left ventricle and/or main portal vein of mice was punctured, and latex dye was infused to achieve selective latex arteriography and/or portography. RESULTS H-ras12V transgenic mice (a HCC and hepatic adenoma model) developed multiple liver nodules that displayed three different perfusion patterns (portal venous or hepatic artery perfusion predominant, mixed perfusion), indicating intra-tumoral vascular heterogeneity. Selective latex angiography revealed that the Lewis lung carcinoma implant model and the Albumin-Cre/WW45fl/fl model reproduced conventional angiography findings of human HCC. Specifically, these mice developed tumors with abundant feeding arteries but no portal venous perfusion. CONCLUSION Different hepatic tumor models showed different tumor vessel characteristics that influence the suitability of the model and that should be considered when designing translational experiments. Selective latex angiography applied to certain mouse tumor models (both ectopic and spontaneous) closely simulated typical characteristics of human HCC vascular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Kyum Kim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Honsoul Kim
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
| | - Gou Young Koh
- National Research Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Stem Cell, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Sik Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Yeul Yu
- Aging Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Man Deuk Kim
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Suk Park
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Seok Lim
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Wu L, Wang C, Yao X, Liu K, Xu Y, Zhang H, Fu C, Wang X, Li Y. Application of 3.0 tesla magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis in the orthotopic nude mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Exp Anim 2014; 63:403-13. [PMID: 25048266 PMCID: PMC4244289 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.63.403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to successfully establish an orthotopic murine model using two
different human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines and to propose a 3.0 tesla MRI
protocol for noninvasive characterization of this model. SW1990 and MIAPaca-2 tumor cells
were injected into the pancreas of BALB/C nu/nu mice. Tumor growth rate
and morphological information were assessed by 3.0 tesla MRI (T1WI, T2WI and DCE-MRI) and
immunohistology. Proliferation of SW1990 was significantly faster than that of MIAPaca-2
(P=0.000), but MIAPaca-2 mice had a significantly shorter survival than
SW1990 mice (41 days and 44 days respectively, P=0.027). MRI could
reliably monitor tumor growth in both cell lines: the tumors exhibiting a spherical growth
pattern showed a high-intensity signal, and the SW1990 group developed significantly
larger tumors compared with the MIAPaCa-2 group. There were no statistical differences
between the two groups in which tumor size was assessed using electronic calipers and an
MRI scan (P=0.680). Both tumors showed a slow gradual enhancement
pattern. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated tumor tissues showing high expression of Ki-67.
This model closely mimics human pancreatic cancer and permits monitoring of tumor growth
and morphological information by noninvasive 3.0 tesla MRI studies reducing the number of
mice required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wu
- Department of Intervetional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 20032, P.R.China
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WU L, WANG C, YAO X, LIU K, XU Y, ZHANG H, FU C, WANG X, LI Y. Application of 3.0 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Diagnosis in the Orthotopic Nude Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer. Exp Anim 2014. [DOI: 10.1538/expanim.13-0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Li WU
- Department of Intervetional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 20032, P.R.China
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital. Shanghai, P.R.China
| | - Chen WANG
- Cancer Research Institute, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 20032, P.R.China
| | - Xiuzhong YAO
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R.China
| | - Kai LIU
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R.China
| | - Yanjun XU
- Research Institute of Health Development Strategies, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R.China
| | - Haitao ZHANG
- Department of Protistology, Guangdong Jiaying Medical College, Meizhou, P.R.China
| | - Caixia FU
- Siemens Shenzhen Magnetic Resonance Ltd, Siemens MRI Center, Shenzhen, P.R.China
| | - Xiaolin WANG
- Department of Intervetional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 20032, P.R.China
| | - Yingyi LI
- Cancer Research Institute, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 20032, P.R.China
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Partecke LI, Sendler M, Kaeding A, Weiss FU, Mayerle J, Dummer A, Nguyen TD, Albers N, Speerforck S, Lerch MM, Heidecke CD, von Bernstorff W, Stier A. A syngeneic orthotopic murine model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the C57/BL6 mouse using the Panc02 and 6606PDA cell lines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 47:98-107. [PMID: 21720167 DOI: 10.1159/000329413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2010] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS To develop a clinically relevant immunocompetent murine model to study pancreatic cancer using two different syngeneic pancreatic cancer cell lines and to assess MRI for its applicability in this model. METHODS Two cell lines, 6606PDA and Panc02, were employed for the experiments. Cell proliferation and migration were monitored in vitro. Matrigel™ was tested for its role in tumor induction. Tumor cell growth was assessed after orthotopic injection of tumor cells into the pancreatic head of C57/BL6 mice by MRI and histology. RESULTS Proliferation and migration of Panc02 were significantly faster than those of 6606PDA. Matrigel did not affect tumor growth/migration but prevented tumor cell spread after injection thus avoiding undesired peritoneal tumor growth. MRI could reliably monitor longitudinal tumor growth in both cell lines: Panc02 had a more irregular finger-like growth, and 6606PDA grew more spherically. Both tumors showed local invasiveness. Histologically, Panc02 showed a sarcoma-like undifferentiated growth pattern, whereas 6606PDA displayed a moderately differentiated glandular tumor growth. Panc02 mice had a significantly shorter (28 days) survival than 6606PDA mice (50 days). CONCLUSION This model closely mimics human pancreatic cancer. MRI was invaluable for longitudinal monitoring of tumor growth thus reducing the number of mice required. Employing two different cell lines, this model can be used for various treatment and imaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L I Partecke
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany
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Chen F. Feng Chen's work on translational and clinical imaging. World J Radiol 2011; 3:120-4. [PMID: 21532873 PMCID: PMC3084436 DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v3.i4.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2010] [Revised: 03/28/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dr. Feng Chen is a chief medical doctor and the vice chairman of the Department of Radiology in Zhong Da Hospital at Southeast University, Nanjing, China and a senior researcher in the Department of Radiology at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. His main areas of interest are translational imaging research including stroke, tumor angiogenesis, assessment of therapeutic response in solid tumors, and magnetic resonance contrast media. Dr. Feng Chen has published 44 scientific papers in peer-reviewed international journals. He and his colleagues have developed an imaging platform which includes animal models, animal preparations and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols for translational animal imaging research using clinical machines. His MRI findings on rodent stroke are considered to "serve as a model for future laboratory investigations of treatment of acute stroke and unify the approaches developed for clinical studies". He and his colleagues have introduced a novel liver tumor model in rodents, in which a series of studies concerning the antitumor activity of vascular disrupting agents have been successively conducted and assessed by in vivo MRI, especially by diffusion weighted imaging as an imaging biomarker. His goal is to provide valuable references for clinical practice and to contribute to the translation of animal imaging research into patient applications.
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Shao H, Ni Y, Dai X, Zhang J, Chen F, Fan G, Sun Z, Li Y, Zhou H, Xu K. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging allows monitoring the effect of combretastatin A4 phosphate on rabbit implanted VX2 tumor model: 12-day dynamic results. Eur J Radiol 2011; 81:578-83. [PMID: 21454029 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the 12-day dynamic characteristics of tumor response to intravenous administration of CA4P in rabbit VX2 tumor models. METHODS Study protocol was approved by local ethical committee for animal care and use. Sixteen rabbits with 32 tumors on bilateral legs were randomly divided into treated and control groups. Conventional and DWI images were acquired before and 24 h, 4 days, 8 days and 12 days after treatment. The dynamic changes of tumor on images were correlated with histological results. ADCs were compared among and between groups at different time points. RESULTS The tumors in treated group grew slower than those in control group. In treaded group, the mean ADC decreased slightly at 24 h point due to cell edema caused by ischemia. Then, it increased significantly at 4 days and 8 days because of progressive central necrosis. Finally, peripheral tumor proliferation caused a second decrease of ADC at 12 days. The significant difference of ΔADC% between the two groups at 24 h, 4 days and 8 days indicated that the change of ADC in treated group was really caused by CA4P. CONCLUSION The dynamic histological changes of tumor caused by CA4P as reflected exactly by diffusion-weighted MR imaging indicate a noninvasive measure for monitoring tumor vascular targeting treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Shao
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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Partecke IL, Kaeding A, Sendler M, Albers N, Kühn JP, Speerforck S, Roese S, Seubert F, Diedrich S, Kuehn S, Weiss UF, Mayerle J, Lerch MM, Hadlich S, Hosten N, Heidecke CD, Puls R, von Bernstorff W. In vivo imaging of pancreatic tumours and liver metastases using 7 Tesla MRI in a murine orthotopic pancreatic cancer model and a liver metastases model. BMC Cancer 2011; 11:40. [PMID: 21276229 PMCID: PMC3039629 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-11-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of tumour death in the western world. However, appropriate tumour models are scarce. Here we present a syngeneic murine pancreatic cancer model using 7 Tesla MRI and evaluate its clinical relevance and applicability. Methods 6606PDA murine pancreatic cancer cells were orthotopically injected into the pancreatic head. Liver metastases were induced through splenic injection. Animals were analyzed by MRI three and five weeks following injection. Tumours were detected using T2-weighted high resolution sequences. Tumour volumes were determined by callipers and MRI. Liver metastases were analyzed using gadolinium-EOB-DTPA and T1-weighted 3D-Flash sequences. Tumour blood flow was measured using low molecular gadobutrol and high molecular gadolinium-DTPA. Results MRI handling and applicability was similar to human systems, resolution as low as 0.1 mm. After 5 weeks tumour volumes differed significantly (p < 0.01) when comparing calliper measurments (n = 5, mean 1065 mm3+/-243 mm3) with MRI (mean 918 mm3+/-193 mm3) with MRI being more precise. Histology (n = 5) confirmed MRI tumour measurements (mean size MRI 38.5 mm2+/-22.8 mm2 versus 32.6 mm2+/-22.6 mm2 (histology), p < 0,0004) with differences due to fixation and processing of specimens. After splenic injection all mice developed liver metastases with a mean of 8 metastases and a mean volume of 173.8 mm3+/-56.7 mm3 after 5 weeks. Lymphnodes were also easily identified. Tumour accumulation of gadobutrol was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than gadolinium-DTPA. All imaging experiments could be done repeatedly to comply with the 3R-principle thus reducing the number of experimental animals. Conclusions This model permits monitoring of tumour growth and metastasis formation in longitudinal non-invasive high-resolution MR studies including using contrast agents comparable to human pancreatic cancer. This multidisciplinary environment enables radiologists, surgeons and physicians to further improve translational research and therapies of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo L Partecke
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Friedrich-Loeffler-Str. 23 b, Greifswald, Germany
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Cancer models-multiparametric applications of clinical MRI in rodent hepatic tumor model. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 771:489-507. [PMID: 21874495 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-219-9_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Small animal imaging has been a major player in an increasing amount of oncological experiments wherein magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a favorite choice of measures for in vivo small animal imaging due to its advantages of excellent resolution and innocuousness. Based on a clinical MRI scanner, we propose a protocol of multiparametric MRI for noninvasive characterization and therapeutic evaluation of a rat model with implanted liver tumors. This protocol contains six sequences, namely, T (1)-weighted image (T1WI), T (2)-weighted image (T2WI), diffusion-weighed imaging (DWI), T (1)-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), T (2)-weighted dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MRI (DSC-MRI), and contrast-enhanced T1WI (CE-T1WI), for acquiring anatomic, diffusion, and perfusion information of tumor models. In this chapter, the details about this complete MRI protocol and the rodent liver tumor model are described in order to facilitate the readers to perform their own translational animal imaging research.
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Sandhu GS, Solorio L, Broome AM, Salem N, Kolthammer J, Shah T, Flask C, Duerk JL. Whole animal imaging. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2010; 2:398-421. [PMID: 20836038 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Translational research plays a vital role in understanding the underlying pathophysiology of human diseases, and hence development of new diagnostic and therapeutic options for their management. After creating an animal disease model, pathophysiologic changes and effects of a therapeutic intervention on them are often evaluated on the animals using immunohistologic or imaging techniques. In contrast to the immunohistologic techniques, the imaging techniques are noninvasive and hence can be used to investigate the whole animal, oftentimes in a single exam which provides opportunities to perform longitudinal studies and dynamic imaging of the same subject, and hence minimizes the experimental variability, requirement for the number of animals, and the time to perform a given experiment. Whole animal imaging can be performed by a number of techniques including x-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, fluorescence imaging, and bioluminescence imaging, among others. Individual imaging techniques provide different kinds of information regarding the structure, metabolism, and physiology of the animal. Each technique has its own strengths and weaknesses, and none serves every purpose of image acquisition from all regions of an animal. In this review, a broad overview of basic principles, available contrast mechanisms, applications, challenges, and future prospects of many imaging techniques employed for whole animal imaging is provided. Our main goal is to briefly describe the current state of art to researchers and advanced students with a strong background in the field of animal research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Center of Imaging Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Luis Solorio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Center of Imaging Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Ann-Marie Broome
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Center of Imaging Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Nicolas Salem
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Center of Imaging Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jeff Kolthammer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Center of Imaging Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Tejas Shah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Center of Imaging Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Chris Flask
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Center of Imaging Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Duerk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Center of Imaging Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Treatment of rodent liver tumor with combretastatin a4 phosphate: noninvasive therapeutic evaluation using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in correlation with microangiography and histology. Invest Radiol 2009; 44:44-53. [PMID: 19034028 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0b013e31818e5ace] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To document tumoricidal events after intravenous administration of a vascular targeting agent combretastatin A-4-phosphate (CA4P) in rodent liver tumors by using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in correlation with microangiography and histopathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty rhabdomyosarcomas of 8 to 14 mm in diameter were obtained 16 days after implantation in liver lobes of 15 rats. Using a 1.5T magnet and a 4-channel wrist coil, T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), pre- and postcontrast T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic susceptibility imaging (DSI) with relative blood volume (rBV) and flow (rBF) maps were acquired at baseline, 1 hour, 6 hours, and 48 hours after iv injection of CA4P at 10 mg/kg and vehicle in 9 treated and 6 control rats, respectively. In vivo data including signal intensity (SI), tumor volume, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), rBV, and rBF were correlated with ex vivo microangiographic and histopathologic findings. RESULTS CA4P-treated tumors (n = 18) grew slower than those (n = 12) of controls (P < 0.05), with vascular shutdown evident on CE-T1WI at 1 hour but more prominent at 6 hours. However, enhanced rim occurred in the periphery 48 hours after treatment, indicating neovascularization. ADC map enabled distinction between necrotic and viable tumors. DSI-derived tumoral rBV and rBF decreased significantly at 1 hour through 6 hours and partly recovered at 48 hours. SI-time curve reflected diverse therapeutic responses between tumor and liver. MRI findings were verified by ex vivo techniques. CONCLUSIONS Clinical MRI allowed monitoring of CA4P-related vascular shutdown, necrosis, and neovascularization of liver tumors in rats. Single dose of CA4P seemed insufficient for tumor eradication because of evident peripheral residue and recurrence.
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Sun X, Wang H, Chen F, De Keyzer F, Yu J, Jiang Y, Feng Y, Li J, Marchal G, Ni Y. Diffusion-weighted MRI of hepatic tumor in rats: comparison between in vivo and postmortem imaging acquisitions. J Magn Reson Imaging 2009; 29:621-8. [PMID: 19243058 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.21675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the feasibility of in vivo diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to distinguish between normal liver, viable tumor and necrosis compared to postmortem DWI in a rat model with vascular-targeting treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen rats with liver implantation of 30 rhabdomyosarcomas were treated with combretastatin A-4-phosphate (CA4P) at 10 mg/kg. Two days after treatment, T2-weighted imaging, precontrast T1-weighted imaging, postcontrast T1-weighted imaging, and DWI were performed in vivo and postmortem with a 1.5T scanner. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) calculated from DWIs with b values of 0, 50, and 100 seconds/mm2 (ADClow), 500, 750, and 1000 seconds/mm2 (ADChigh), 0, 500, and 1000 seconds/mm2 (ADC3b), and 0-1000 seconds/mm2 (ADC10b) for tumor, liver, therapeutic necrosis, and phantoms were compared and validated with ex vivo microangiographic and histopathologic findings. RESULTS Except ADClow between tumor and necrosis, in vivo ADCs successfully differentiated liver, viable tumor, and necrosis (P<0.05). Compared to in vivo outcomes, postmortem ADCs significantly dropped in tumor and liver (P<0.05) except ADChigh of tumor, but not in necrosis and phantoms. Compared to ADClow, ADChigh was less affected by vital status. CONCLUSION Advantageous over postmortem DWI, in vivo DWI provides a noninvasive easy-performing tool for distinguishing between liver, viable tumor, and necrosis. ADClow and ADChigh better reflect tissue perfusion and water diffusion, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihe Sun
- Section of Radiology, Department of Medical Diagnostic Science, University Hospitals, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Ni Y, Wang H, Chen F, Li J, DeKeyzer F, Feng Y, Yu J, Bosmans H, Marchal G. Tumor models and specific contrast agents for small animal imaging in oncology. Methods 2009; 48:125-38. [PMID: 19328231 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2009.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2009] [Accepted: 03/11/2009] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the widespread use of various imaging modalities in clinical and experimental oncology without or with combined application of commercially available nonspecific contrast agents (CAs), development of tissue- or organ- or disease-specific CAs has been a continuing effort for pursuing ever-improved sensitivity, specificity, and applicability. This is particularly true with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to its intrinsic superb spatial/temporal/contrast resolutions and adequate detectability for tiny amount of substances. In this context, research using small animal tumor models has played an indispensible role in preclinical exploration of tissue specific CAs. Emphasizing more on methodological and practical aspects, this article aims to share our cumulated experiences on how to create tumor models for evaluation and development of new tissue specific MRI CAs and how to apply such models in imaging-based research studies. With the results that are repeatedly confirmed by later clinical applications in cancer patients, some of our early preclinical studies have contributed to the designs of subsequent clinical trials on the new CAs, some studies have predicted new utilities of these CAs; and other studies have led to the discoveries of new tissue- or disease-specific CAs with novel diagnostic or even therapeutic potentials. Among commonly adopted tumor models, the chemically induced and surgically implanted nodules in the liver prove very useful to simulate primary and metastatic intrahepatic tumors, respectively in clinical patients. The methods to create tumor models have eased procedures and yielded high success rates. The specific properties of the new CAs could be outshined by intraindividual comparison to the commercial CAs as nonspecific controls. Meticulous imaging-microangiography-histology matching techniques guaranteed colocalization of the lesion on in vivo MRI and postmortem tissue specimen, hence correct imaging interpretation and longstanding conclusions. As exemplified in the real study cases, the present experimental set-up proves applicable in small animals for imaging-based oncological investigations, and may provide a platform for the currently booming molecular imaging in a multimodality environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicheng Ni
- Section of Radiology, Department of Medical Diagnostic Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Group, University of Leuven, Belgium.
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