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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Intra-Cardiac Injection of Human Prostate Cancer Cells to Create a Bone Metastasis Xenograft Mouse Model
Published on: November 4, 2022
In vivo imaging of prostate cancer involving bone in a mouse model
Vikas Kundra1, Chaan S Ng, Jingfei Ma
1Department of Radiology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. vkundra@di.mdacc.tmc.edu
Background:
We compared the abilities of clinically relevant imaging modalities to quantify prostate cancer involving bone in a mouse model. Such non-invasive methods are needed pre-clinically to understand tumor biology and to evaluate therapy.
Methods:
Human prostate cancer cells (MDA PCa 2b) or vehicle were injected into the right or left femur of SCID mice (n = 8). Radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed 5 and 8 weeks later (n = 7). Bone scintigraphy (n = 6) was also performed at week 8. Imaging findings were compared with histology and correlated with contemporaneous serum prostate-specific antigen levels.
Results:
Among the modalities evaluated, only MR imaging delineated prostate tumors involving bone. Tumor volume assessed by MR imaging correlated with PSA levels (R(2) = 0.87, P < 0.001). MR imaging of tumors corresponded with histology. Imaging of mineralized bone by CT corresponded with histology.
Conclusion:
In a mouse model, prostate tumors involving bone can be quantified using MR imaging.
