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Jin S, Cho HJ. Cerebral hemodynamics as biomarkers for neuropathic pain in rats: a longitudinal study using a spinal nerve ligation model. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00655. [PMID: 38985168 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neuropathic pain is one of the most challenging types of pain to diagnose and treat, a problem exacerbated by the lack of a quantitative biomarker. Recently, several clinical and preclinical studies have shown that neuropathic pain induces cerebral hemodynamic changes as a result of neuroplasticity in the brain. Our hypothesis in this study is that neuropathic pain leads to cerebral hemodynamic changes over postoperative time in a spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rat model, which has not been longitudinally explored previously. Furthermore, by identifying multiple regional hemodynamic features that are the most distinct between SNL and sham groups, where the sham group underwent only an incision without SNL, it may be possible to classify the SNL group regardless of when the onset of pain occurs. We investigate cerebral hemodynamic changes using dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging in a rat model up to 28 days after ligating L5/L6 spinal nerves. We trained a linear support vector machine with relative cerebral blood volume data from different brain regions and found that the prediction model trained on the nucleus accumbens, motor cortex, pretectal area, and thalamus classified the SNL group and sham group at a 79.27% balanced accuracy, regardless of when the onset of pain occurred (SNL/sham: 60/45 data points). From the use of the SNL model without prior knowledge of the onset time of pain, the current findings highlight the potential of relative cerebral blood volume in the 4 highlighted brain regions as a biomarker for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokha Jin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
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2
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Arledge CA, Crowe WN, Wang L, Bourland JD, Topaloglu U, Habib AA, Zhao D. Transfer Learning Approach to Vascular Permeability Changes in Brain Metastasis Post-Whole-Brain Radiotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2703. [PMID: 37345039 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to further validate the utility of our previously developed CNN in an alternative small animal model of BM through transfer learning. Unlike the glioma model, the BM mouse model develops multifocal intracranial metastases, including both contrast enhancing and non-enhancing lesions on DCE MRI, thus serving as an excellent brain tumor model to study tumor vascular permeability. Here, we conducted transfer learning by transferring the previously trained GBM CNN to DCE MRI datasets of BM mice. The CNN was re-trained to learn about the relationship between BM DCE images and target permeability maps extracted from the Extended Tofts Model (ETM). The transferred network was found to accurately predict BM permeability and presented with excellent spatial correlation with the target ETM PK maps. The CNN model was further tested in another cohort of BM mice treated with WBRT to assess vascular permeability changes induced via radiotherapy. The CNN detected significantly increased permeability parameter Ktrans in WBRT-treated tumors (p < 0.01), which was in good agreement with the target ETM PK maps. In conclusion, the proposed CNN can serve as an efficient and accurate tool for characterizing vascular permeability and treatment responses in small animal brain tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad A Arledge
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - William N Crowe
- Department of Engineering, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Lulu Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - John Daniel Bourland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Umit Topaloglu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Clinical and Translation Research Informatics Branch, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Amyn A Habib
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and VA North Texas Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Dawen Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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Knier NN, Pellizzari S, Zhou J, Foster PJ, Parsyan A. Preclinical Models of Brain Metastases in Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030667. [PMID: 35327469 PMCID: PMC8945440 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women worldwide. Brain metastases confer extremely poor prognosis due to a lack of understanding of their specific biology, unique physiologic and anatomic features of the brain, and limited treatment strategies. A major roadblock in advancing the treatment of breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) is the scarcity of representative experimental preclinical models. Current models are predominantly based on the use of animal xenograft models with immortalized breast cancer cell lines that poorly capture the disease’s heterogeneity. Recent years have witnessed the development of patient-derived in vitro and in vivo breast cancer culturing systems that more closely recapitulate the biology from individual patients. These advances led to the development of modern patient-tissue-based experimental models for BCBM. The success of preclinical models is also based on the imaging technologies used to detect metastases. Advances in animal brain imaging, including cellular MRI and multimodality imaging, allow sensitive and specific detection of brain metastases and monitoring treatment responses. These imaging technologies, together with novel translational breast cancer models based on patient-derived cancer tissues, represent a unique opportunity to advance our understanding of brain metastases biology and develop novel treatment approaches. This review discusses the state-of-the-art knowledge in preclinical models of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha N. Knier
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (N.N.K.); (P.J.F.)
- Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Sierra Pellizzari
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada;
| | - Jiangbing Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Paula J. Foster
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (N.N.K.); (P.J.F.)
- Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Armen Parsyan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada;
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Science Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Western University, London, ON N6A 4L6, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-519-646-4831; Fax: +1-519-646-6327
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Svendsen HA, Meling TR, Nygaard V, Waagene S, Russnes H, Juell S, Rogne SG, Pahnke J, Helseth E, Fodstad Ø, Mælandsmo GM. Novel human melanoma brain metastasis models in athymic nude fox1 nu mice: Site-specific metastasis patterns reflecting their clinical origin. Cancer Med 2021; 10:8604-8613. [PMID: 34612023 PMCID: PMC8633237 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant melanomas frequently metastasize to the brain, but metastases in the cerebellum are underrepresented compared with metastases in the cerebrum. METHODS We established animal models by injecting intracardially in athymic nude fox1nu mice two human melanoma cell lines, originating from a cerebral metastasis (HM19) and a cerebellar metastasis (HM86). RESULTS Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), metastases were first detected after a mean of 34.5 days. Mean survival time was 59.6 days for the mice in the HM86 group and significantly shorter (43.7 days) for HM19-injected animals (p < 0.001). In the HM86 group, the first detectable metastasis was located in the cerebellum in 15/55 (29%) mice compared with none in the HM19 group (p < 0.001). At sacrifice, cerebellar metastases were found in 34/55 (63%) HM86-injected mice compared with 1/53 (2%) in the HM19-injected (p < 0.001) mice. At that time, all mice in both groups had detectable metastases in the cerebrum. Comparing macroscopic and histologic appearances of the brain metastases with their clinical counterparts, the cell line-based tumors had kept their original morphologic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS The present work demonstrates that human brain-metastatic melanoma cells injected intracardially in mice had retained inherent characteristics also in reproducing interaction with subtle microenvironmental brain tissue compartment-specific features. The models offer new possibilities for investigating tumor- and host-associated factors involved in determining tissue specificity of brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik A. Svendsen
- Institute of Clinical MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of NeurosurgeryOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of Tumor BiologyInstitute for Cancer ResearchOslo University Hospital‐RadiumhospitaletOsloNorway
| | - Torstein R. Meling
- Institute of Clinical MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of NeurosurgeryOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of NeurosurgeryGeneva University HospitalsGenevaSwitzerland
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Vigdis Nygaard
- Department of Tumor BiologyInstitute for Cancer ResearchOslo University Hospital‐RadiumhospitaletOsloNorway
| | - Stein Waagene
- Department of Tumor BiologyInstitute for Cancer ResearchOslo University Hospital‐RadiumhospitaletOsloNorway
| | - Hege Russnes
- Department of PathologyOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Siri Juell
- Department of Tumor BiologyInstitute for Cancer ResearchOslo University Hospital‐RadiumhospitaletOsloNorway
| | - Siril G. Rogne
- Department of NeurosurgeryOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Jens Pahnke
- Institute of Clinical MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of PathologyOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
- LIEDUniversity of LübeckJenaGermany
- Department of PharmacologyMedical FacultyUniversity of LatviaRigaLatvia
| | - Eirik Helseth
- Institute of Clinical MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of NeurosurgeryOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Øystein Fodstad
- Institute of Clinical MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of Tumor BiologyInstitute for Cancer ResearchOslo University Hospital‐RadiumhospitaletOsloNorway
- Østfold Hospital TrustGrålumNorway
| | - Gunhild M. Mælandsmo
- Department of Tumor BiologyInstitute for Cancer ResearchOslo University Hospital‐RadiumhospitaletOsloNorway
- Institute of Medical BiologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Tromsø ‐ The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
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Aasen SN, Espedal H, Keunen O, Adamsen TCH, Bjerkvig R, Thorsen F. Current landscape and future perspectives in preclinical MR and PET imaging of brain metastasis. Neurooncol Adv 2021; 3:vdab151. [PMID: 34988446 PMCID: PMC8704384 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdab151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastasis (BM) is a major cause of cancer patient morbidity. Clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) represent important resources to assess tumor progression and treatment responses. In preclinical research, anatomical MRI and to some extent functional MRI have frequently been used to assess tumor progression. In contrast, PET has only to a limited extent been used in animal BM research. A considerable culprit is that results from most preclinical studies have shown little impact on the implementation of new treatment strategies in the clinic. This emphasizes the need for the development of robust, high-quality preclinical imaging strategies with potential for clinical translation. This review focuses on advanced preclinical MRI and PET imaging methods for BM, describing their applications in the context of what has been done in the clinic. The strengths and shortcomings of each technology are presented, and recommendations for future directions in the development of the individual imaging modalities are suggested. Finally, we highlight recent developments in quantitative MRI and PET, the use of radiomics and multimodal imaging, and the need for a standardization of imaging technologies and protocols between preclinical centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Synnøve Nymark Aasen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Heidi Espedal
- The Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Olivier Keunen
- Translational Radiomics, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Tom Christian Holm Adamsen
- Centre for Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- 180 °N – Bergen Tracer Development Centre, Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rolf Bjerkvig
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- NorLux Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Frits Thorsen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- The Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University, Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Remodeling, Shandong, Jinan, P.R. China
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Crowe W, Wang L, Zhang Z, Varagic J, Bourland JD, Chan MD, Habib AA, Zhao D. MRI evaluation of the effects of whole brain radiotherapy on breast cancer brain metastasis. Int J Radiat Biol 2019; 95:338-346. [PMID: 30499763 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2019.1554920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess early changes in brain metastasis in response to whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) by longitudinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS Using a 7T system, MRI examinations of brain metastases in a breast cancer MDA-MD231-Br mouse model were conducted before and 24 hours after 3 daily fractionations of 4 Gy WBRT. Besides anatomic MRI, diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI were applied to study cytotoxic effect and blood-tumor-barrier (BTB) permeability change, respectively. RESULTS Before treatment, high-resolution T2-weighted images revealed hyperintense multifocal lesions, many of which (∼50%) were not enhanced on T1-weighted contrast images, indicating intact BTB in the brain metastases. While no difference in the number of new lesions was observed, WBRT-treated tumors were significantly smaller than sham controls (p < .05). DW MRI detected significant increase in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in WBRT tumors (p < .05), which correlated with elevated caspase 3 staining of apoptotic cells. Many lesions remained non-enhanced post WBRT. However, quantitative DCE MRI analysis showed significantly higher permeability parameter, Ktrans, in WBRT than the sham group (p < .05), despite marked spatial heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS MRI allowed non-invasive assessments of WBRT induced changes in BTB permeability, which may provide useful information for potential combination treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Crowe
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , NC , USA
| | - Lulu Wang
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , NC , USA
| | - Zhongwei Zhang
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , NC , USA
| | - Jasmina Varagic
- b Department of Surgery , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , NC , USA
| | - J Daniel Bourland
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , NC , USA.,c Department of Radiation Oncology , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , NC , USA
| | - Michael D Chan
- c Department of Radiation Oncology , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , NC , USA
| | - Amyn A Habib
- d Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics , University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and VA North Texas Medical Center , Dallas , TX , USA
| | - Dawen Zhao
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , NC , USA.,e Department of Cancer Biology , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , NC , USA
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De Souza R, Spence T, Huang H, Allen C. Preclinical imaging and translational animal models of cancer for accelerated clinical implementation of nanotechnologies and macromolecular agents. J Control Release 2015; 219:313-330. [PMID: 26409122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The majority of animal models of cancer have performed poorly in terms of predicting clinical performance of new therapeutics, which are most often first evaluated in patients with advanced, metastatic disease. The development and use of metastatic models of cancer may enhance clinical translatability of preclinical studies focused on the development of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and macromolecular therapeutics, potentially accelerating their clinical implementation. It is recognized that the development and use of such models are not without challenge. Preclinical imaging tools offer a solution by allowing temporal and spatial characterization of metastatic lesions. This paper provides a review of imaging methods applicable for evaluation of novel therapeutics in clinically relevant models of advanced cancer. An overview of currently utilized models of oncology in small animals is followed by image-based development and characterization of visceral metastatic cancer models. Examples of imaging tools employed for metastatic lesion detection, evaluation of anti-tumor and anti-metastatic potential and biodistribution of novel therapies, as well as the co-development and/or use of imageable surrogates of response, are also discussed. While the focus is on development of macromolecular and nanotechnology-based therapeutics, examples with small molecules are included in some cases to illustrate concepts and approaches that can be applied in the assessment of nanotechnologies or macromolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel De Souza
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada.
| | - Tara Spence
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Huang Huang
- DLVR Therapeutics, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Christine Allen
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada.
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Grech G, Zhan X, Yoo BC, Bubnov R, Hagan S, Danesi R, Vittadini G, Desiderio DM. EPMA position paper in cancer: current overview and future perspectives. EPMA J 2015; 6:9. [PMID: 25908947 PMCID: PMC4407842 DOI: 10.1186/s13167-015-0030-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
At present, a radical shift in cancer treatment is occurring in terms of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM). Individual patients will participate in more aspects of their healthcare. During the development of PPPM, many rapid, specific, and sensitive new methods for earlier detection of cancer will result in more efficient management of the patient and hence a better quality of life. Coordination of the various activities among different healthcare professionals in primary, secondary, and tertiary care requires well-defined competencies, implementation of training and educational programs, sharing of data, and harmonized guidelines. In this position paper, the current knowledge to understand cancer predisposition and risk factors, the cellular biology of cancer, predictive markers and treatment outcome, the improvement in technologies in screening and diagnosis, and provision of better drug development solutions are discussed in the context of a better implementation of personalized medicine. Recognition of the major risk factors for cancer initiation is the key for preventive strategies (EPMA J. 4(1):6, 2013). Of interest, cancer predisposing syndromes in particular the monogenic subtypes that lead to cancer progression are well defined and one should focus on implementation strategies to identify individuals at risk to allow preventive measures and early screening/diagnosis. Implementation of such measures is disturbed by improper use of the data, with breach of data protection as one of the risks to be heavily controlled. Population screening requires in depth cost-benefit analysis to justify healthcare costs, and the parameters screened should provide information that allow an actionable and deliverable solution, for better healthcare provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Grech
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Xianquan Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics of Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Byong Chul Yoo
- Colorectal Cancer Branch, Division of Translational and Clinical Research I, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi, 410-769 Republic of Korea
| | - Rostyslav Bubnov
- Clinical Hospital 'Pheophania' of State Management of Affairs Department, Kyiv, Ukraine ; Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Suzanne Hagan
- Dept of Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Romano Danesi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Dominic M Desiderio
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Center for Health Science, Memphis, USA
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Zhou H, Zhao D. Ultrasound imaging-guided intracardiac injection to develop a mouse model of breast cancer brain metastases followed by longitudinal MRI. J Vis Exp 2014. [PMID: 24637963 DOI: 10.3791/51146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer brain metastasis, occurring in 30% of breast cancer patients at stage IV, is associated with high mortality. The median survival is only 6 months. It is critical to have suitable animal models to mimic the hemodynamic spread of the metastatic cells in the clinical scenario. Here, we are introducing the use of small animal ultrasound imaging to guide an accurate injection of brain tropical breast cancer cells into the left ventricle of athymic nude mice. Longitudinal MRI is used to assessing intracranial initiation and growth of brain metastases. Ultrasound-guided intracardiac injection ensures not only an accurate injection and hereby a higher successful rate but also significantly decreased mortality rate, as compared to our previous manual procedure. In vivo high resolution MRI allows the visualization of hyperintense multifocal lesions, as small as 310 µm in diameter on T2-weighted images at 3 weeks post injection. Follow-up MRI reveals intracranial tumor growth and increased number of metastases that distribute throughout the whole brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heling Zhou
- Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
| | - Dawen Zhao
- Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center;
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10
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Ex vivo Evans blue assessment of the blood brain barrier in three breast cancer brain metastasis models. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2014; 144:93-101. [PMID: 24510011 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-014-2854-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The limited entry of anticancer drugs into the central nervous system represents a special therapeutic challenge for patients with brain metastases and is primarily due to the blood brain barrier (BBB). Albumin-bound Evans blue (EB) dye is too large to cross the BBB but can grossly stain tissue blue when the BBB is disrupted. The course of tumor development and the integrity of the BBB were studied in three preclinical breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) models. A luciferase-transduced braintropic clone of MDA-231 cell line was used. Nude mice were subjected to stereotactic intracerebral inoculation, mammary fat pad-derived tumor fragment implantation, or carotid artery injections. EB was injected 30 min prior to euthanasia at various timepoints for each of the BCBM model animals. Serial bioluminescent imaging demonstrated exponential tumor growth in all models. Carotid BCBM appeared as diffuse multifocal cell clusters. EB aided the localization of metastases ex vivo. Tumor implants stained blue at 7 days whereas gross staining was not evident until day 14 in the stereotactic model and day 28 for the carotid model. EB assessment of the integrity of the BBB provides useful information relevant to drug testing in preclinical BCBM models.
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