The evaluation of anti-angiogenic treatment effects for implanted rabbit VX2 breast tumors using functional
1Department of Anatomy, Chinese Medical University, No. 92, Beiermalu Road, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China. leizhen2004@163.com
Objective:
Investigate the benefit of functional multi-slice spiral computed tomography (f-MSCT) perfusion imaging in the non-invasive assessment of targeted anti-angiogenesis therapy on an implanted rabbit VX2 breast tumor model.
Method:
69 female pure New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to one of the 4 groups and received treatment accordingly: control (saline), Endostar, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Cyclophosphamide, Epirubicin and 5-Fluorouracil, CEF), combination therapy (Endostar and CEF). After 2 weeks of treatment, f-MSCT perfusion scannings were performed for all rabbits and information about blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT) and surface permeability (SP) was collected. After perfusion imaging, tumor tissues were sampled for immunohistochemistry and the Western blot test of VEGF protein expression.
Results:
(1) The VEGF expression level, measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, decreased by treatment group (control > Endostar > CEF > combination therapy). The same was true for the mean BF, BV, MTT and PS, which decreased from the control group to the combination therapy group gradually. The mean MTT level increased in reverse order from the control to the combination therapy group. The difference between any 2 groups on these measures was statistically significant (P < 0.05). (2) There was moderate positive correlation between VEGF expression and BE, BV, or PS level (P < 0.05) and a negative correlation between VEGF expression and MTT level for all 4 groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Therefore, f-MSCT can be used as a non-invasive approach to evaluate the effect of anti-angiogenic therapy for implanted rabbit VX2 breast tumors.
Insights
Functional multi-slice spiral computed tomography (f-MSCT) effectively assesses anti-angiogenesis therapy in rabbit breast tumors. This imaging technique non-invasively evaluates treatment response by analyzing tumor vascularity and VEGF expression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Targeted anti-angiogenesis therapy aims to inhibit tumor blood vessel formation.
- Non-invasive imaging methods are crucial for monitoring treatment efficacy.
- VX2 breast tumor model in rabbits is a standard preclinical model for breast cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of functional multi-slice spiral computed tomography (f-MSCT) perfusion imaging.
- To assess the non-invasive evaluation of targeted anti-angiogenesis therapy.
- To analyze treatment effects on an implanted rabbit VX2 breast tumor model.
Main Methods:
- 69 rabbits with VX2 breast tumors were divided into four groups: control, Endostar, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CEF), and combination therapy.
- f-MSCT perfusion imaging was performed after two weeks of treatment to collect data on blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and surface permeability (SP).
- Tumor tissues were analyzed for VEGF protein expression using immunohistochemistry and Western blot.
Main Results:
- VEGF expression, BF, BV, and SP decreased significantly with treatment, while MTT increased, showing a gradient from control to combination therapy (P < 0.05).
- Statistically significant differences were observed between all treatment groups for all measured parameters (P < 0.05).
- A moderate positive correlation was found between VEGF expression and BF, BV, or SP, and a negative correlation with MTT (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- f-MSCT perfusion imaging provides a reliable non-invasive method for evaluating the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic therapy.
- The study demonstrates the potential of f-MSCT in monitoring treatment response in preclinical breast tumor models.
- f-MSCT parameters correlate with VEGF expression, offering insights into tumor angiogenesis during therapy.
