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Micro-MRI at 11.7 T of a murine brain tumor model using delayed contrast enhancement
Rex A Moats1, Sendhil Velan-Mullan, Russell Jacobs
1USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. moats@hsc.usc.edu
Abstract:
In vivo imaging methodologies allow for serial measurement of tumor size, circumventing the need for sacrificing mice at given time points. In orthotopically transplanted murine models of brain tumors, cross-section micro-MRI allows for visualization and measurement of the physically inaccessible tumors. To allow for long resident times of a contrast agent in the tumor, intraperitoneal administration was used as a route of injection for contrast-enhanced micro-MRI, and a simple method for relative tumor volume measurements was examined. A strategy for visualizing the variability of the delayed tumor enhancement was developed. These strategies were applied to monitor the growth of brain tumors xenotransplanted into nude mice and either treated with the antiangiogenic peptide EMD 121974 or an inactive control peptide. Each mouse was used as its own control. Serial imaging was done weekly, beginning at Day 7 after tumor cell implantation and continued for 7 weeks. Images obtained were reconstructed on the MRI instrument. The image files were transferred off line to be postprocessed to assess tumor growth (volume) and variability in enhancement (three-dimensional [3-D] intensity models). In a small study, tumor growth and response to treatment were followed using this methodology and the high-resolution images displayed in 3-D allowed for straightforward qualitative assessment of variable enhancement related to vascular factors and tumor age.
Insights
Serial micro-MRI in mice enables non-invasive tracking of brain tumor growth and treatment response. This imaging technique visualizes tumor volume and enhancement variability, aiding in understanding anti-cancer peptide efficacy.
Area of Science:
- * Biomedical imaging
- * Oncology research
- * Preclinical cancer models
Background:
- * In vivo imaging allows for serial tumor measurement, avoiding animal sacrifice.
- * Orthotopic brain tumor models in mice present challenges for direct tumor assessment.
- * Micro-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (micro-MRI) offers a solution for visualizing and measuring these inaccessible tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To evaluate contrast-enhanced micro-MRI with intraperitoneal administration for monitoring brain tumor growth in mice.
- * To develop a method for assessing tumor volume and variability in enhancement.
- * To investigate the efficacy of the anti-angiogenic peptide EMD 121974 in a xenograft brain tumor model.
Main Methods:
- * Orthotopic murine brain tumor models were established in nude mice.
- * Serial contrast-enhanced micro-MRI was performed weekly for 7 weeks post-implantation.
- * Tumor volume and enhancement patterns were analyzed using post-processed 3-D intensity models.
Main Results:
- * The methodology allowed for serial monitoring of tumor growth and response to treatment.
- * High-resolution 3-D imaging facilitated qualitative assessment of variable tumor enhancement.
- * Differences in enhancement patterns were observed, potentially related to vascular factors and tumor age.
Conclusions:
- * Contrast-enhanced micro-MRI is a viable method for non-invasive, serial assessment of brain tumors in vivo.
- * The technique effectively visualizes tumor growth and treatment response, including variable enhancement.
- * This approach aids in understanding the impact of anti-angiogenic therapies on tumor characteristics.
