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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Bioluminescence-Based Tumor Quantification Method for Monitoring Tumor Progression and Treatment Effects in Mouse Lymphoma Models
Published on: July 7, 2016
Quantitation in bioluminescence imaging by correction of tissue absorption for experimental oncology
Sabrina Pesnel1, Arnaud Pillon, Laurent Créancier
1UPS no 44 TAAM-CIPA, CNRS, Orléans, France.
Purpose:
We have developed a method of quantitation for correcting tissue absorption in in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI).
Procedures:
Variations of luciferin emission spectrum were determined and were related to photon absorption to determine a correction curve. This was validated by combining BLI with tomoscintigraphy and tomodensitometry, which were applied to a lymphoma model.
Results:
Tissue absorption affects luciferin emission spectrum, mainly for wavelengths less than 620 nm. So, we have selected two filters bordering 620 nm to quantify spectral modifications. A significant correlation was obtained between the spectral analysis and the percentage of transmitted light through tissues (R(2) = 0.97). On a disseminated tumour model, we have shown that such a methodology is of great interest to compare bioluminescent signals and to get more accurate quantitative data about tumour proliferation.
Conclusions:
Spectral analysis allows improved quantitation of BLI and could be of value to perform pharmacological studies and to follow tumour progression in models with tumours evolving in different locations.
