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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Quantitation of Intra-peritoneal Ovarian Cancer Metastasis
Published on: July 18, 2016
Longitudinal molecular imaging with single cell resolution of disseminated ovarian cancer in mice with a LED-based
Sakib F Elahi1, Zhongyao Liu, Kathryn E Luker
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. sfelahi@umich.edu
Purpose:
We engineered a flexible fiber-optic microendoscope for longitudinal optical imaging studies in a mouse model of disseminated ovarian cancer.
Procedures:
The microendoscope delivers 470 nm excitation light from a light-emitting diode through a fiber-optic bundle with outer diameter of 680 μm. Optics were optimized to maximize power and lateral resolution. We used this instrument to repetitively monitor intraperitoneal growth of HeyA8 ovarian cancer cells stably transduced with green fluorescent protein over 4 weeks.
Results:
The microendoscope achieves 0.7 mW power and lateral resolution of 4 μm. Initial in vivo imaging studies visualized single cells and small clusters of malignant cells with subsequent studies showing tumor masses and vasculature. We also resolved single cells within intraperitoneal tumor masses.
Conclusions:
These studies establish microendoscope technology with single cell resolution for minimally-invasive, longitudinal imaging in living animals. This technology will advance future molecular imaging studies of ovarian cancer and other diseases.
Insights
A novel fiber-optic microendoscope enables detailed, single-cell imaging of ovarian cancer growth in mice. This minimally-invasive technology allows longitudinal studies of cancer progression and potential treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Imaging
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer death, often diagnosed at late stages.
- Longitudinal monitoring of cancer progression in vivo is crucial for understanding disease dynamics and evaluating therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a flexible fiber-optic microendoscope for longitudinal optical imaging.
- To assess the microendoscope's capability for in vivo imaging of disseminated ovarian cancer in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Developed a fiber-optic microendoscope (680 μm outer diameter) delivering 470 nm excitation light.
- Optimized optics for maximal power (0.7 mW) and lateral resolution (4 μm).
- Used the microendoscope for repetitive imaging of intraperitoneal HeyA8 ovarian cancer cells (expressing GFP) over 4 weeks.
Main Results:
- Successfully visualized single ovarian cancer cells and small cell clusters in vivo.
- Observed the growth of tumor masses and vasculature over time.
- Resolved individual cancer cells within established intraperitoneal tumor masses.
Conclusions:
- Established microendoscope technology provides single-cell resolution for minimally-invasive, longitudinal imaging in live animals.
- This technology holds significant potential for advancing molecular imaging in ovarian cancer and other diseases.
- Enables detailed studies of cancer biology and therapeutic responses in a relevant preclinical model.
