Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Monitoring Tumor Metastases and Osteolytic Lesions with Bioluminescence and Micro CT Imaging
Published on: April 14, 2011
Monitoring tumor metastases and osteolytic lesions with bioluminescence and micro CT imaging
Ed Lim1, Kshitij Modi, Anna Christensen
1Imaging Biology Research and Development, Caliper Life Sciences.
Abstract:
Following intracardiac delivery of MDA-MB-231-luc-D3H2LN cells to Nu/Nu mice, systemic metastases developed in the injected animals. Bioluminescence imaging using IVIS Spectrum was employed to monitor the distribution and development of the tumor cells following the delivery procedure including DLIT reconstruction to measure the tumor signal and its location. Development of metastatic lesions to the bone tissues triggers osteolytic activity and lesions to tibia and femur were evaluated longitudinally using micro CT. Imaging was performed using a Quantum FX micro CT system with fast imaging and low X-ray dose. The low radiation dose allows multiple imaging sessions to be performed with a cumulative X-ray dosage far below LD50. A mouse imaging shuttle device was used to sequentially image the mice with both IVIS Spectrum and Quantum FX achieving accurate animal positioning in both the bioluminescence and CT images. The optical and CT data sets were co-registered in 3-dimentions using the Living Image 4.1 software. This multi-mode approach allows close monitoring of tumor growth and development simultaneously with osteolytic activity.
Insights
This study demonstrates a multi-modal imaging approach to track breast cancer metastasis in mice. Bioluminescence and micro CT imaging effectively monitored tumor development and bone damage, aiding in understanding metastatic progression.
Area of Science:
- Preclinical cancer research
- Oncology
- Medical imaging
Background:
- Systemic metastases are a significant challenge in breast cancer treatment.
- Accurate monitoring of tumor progression and associated bone damage is crucial for developing effective therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and validate a multi-modal imaging strategy for tracking breast cancer cell metastasis and bone lesions in vivo.
- To assess the utility of combined bioluminescence imaging and micro computed tomography (micro CT) for longitudinal studies.
Main Methods:
- Intracardiac delivery of MDA-MB-231-luc-D3H2LN cells in Nu/Nu mice.
- Longitudinal monitoring using IVIS Spectrum bioluminescence imaging for tumor cell distribution.
- Micro CT imaging with a Quantum FX system to evaluate osteolytic activity in bone tissues.
- Co-registration of optical and CT data using Living Image 4.1 software for 3D analysis.
Main Results:
- Successful development of systemic metastases following intracardiac cell delivery.
- Demonstrated ability to monitor tumor signal distribution and location using bioluminescence imaging.
- Quantified osteolytic activity in tibia and femur lesions using micro CT.
- Validated low-dose X-ray protocols for safe longitudinal imaging.
Conclusions:
- A combined bioluminescence and micro CT imaging approach provides comprehensive monitoring of breast cancer metastasis and bone involvement.
- This multi-modal strategy enables precise tracking of tumor growth and osteolytic activity.
- The low-dose micro CT protocol allows for repeated imaging without significant cumulative radiation exposure.
More Related Videos
05:32Multimodal Bioluminescent and Positronic-emission Tomography/Computational Tomography Imaging of Multiple Myeloma Bone Marrow Xenografts in NOG Mice
Published on: January 7, 2019
06:52Monitoring Breast Cancer Growth and Metastatic Colony Formation in Mice using Bioluminescence
Published on: November 5, 2021