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Using Micro-computed Tomography for the Assessment of Tumor Development and Follow-up of Response to Treatment in a Mouse Model of Lung Cancer
Published on: May 20, 2016
Combined micro-PET/micro-CT imaging of lung tumours in SPC-raf and SPC-myc transgenic mice
Thomas Rodt1, Matthias Luepke, Claudia Boehm
1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Rodt.Thomas@mh-hannover.de
Introduction:
SPC-raf and SPC-myc transgenic mice develop disseminated and circumscribed lung adenocarcinoma respectively, allowing for assessment of carcinogenesis and treatment strategies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the technical feasibility, the correlation of initial findings to histology and the administered radiation dose of combined micro-PET/micro-CT in these animal models.
Material And Methods:
14 C57BL/6 mice (4 nontransgenic, 4 SPC-raf transgenic, 6 SPC-myc transgenic) were examined using micro-CT and (18)F-Fluoro-deoxyglucose micro-PET in-vivo. Micro-PET data was corrected for random events and scatter prior to reconstruction with a 3D-FORE/2D-OSEM iterative algorithm. Rigid micro-PET/micro-CT registration was performed. Tumour-to-non-tumour ratios were calculated for different lung regions and focal lesions. Diffuse tumour growth was quantified using a semiautomated micro-CT segmentation routine reported earlier. Regional histologic tumour load was assessed using a 4-point rating scale. Gamma radiation dose was determined using thermoluminescence dosimeters.
Results:
Micro-CT allowed visualisation of diffuse and circumscribed tumours in SPC-raf and SPC-myc transgenic animals along with morphology, while micro-PET provided information on metabolism, but lacked morphologic detail. Mean tumour-to-non-tumour ratio was 2.47 for circumscribed lesions. No significant correlation could be shown between histological tumour load and tumour-to-nontumour ratio for diffuse tumours in SPC-raf transgenic animals. Calculation of the expected dose based on gamma dosimetry yielded approximately 140 mGy/micro-PET examination additional to approximately 200 mGy due to micro-CT.
Conclusions:
Combined micro-PET/micro-CT imaging allows for in-vivo assessment of lung tumours in SPC-raf and SPC-myc transgenic mice. The technique has potential for the evaluation of carcinogenesis and treatment strategies in circumscribed lung tumours.
Insights
Combined micro-PET/micro-CT imaging effectively visualizes lung adenocarcinoma in transgenic mouse models. This technique shows potential for evaluating cancer development and treatment strategies, particularly for circumscribed tumors.
Area of Science:
- Preclinical imaging research
- Molecular imaging in oncology
- Transgenic animal models for cancer research
Background:
- SPC-raf and SPC-myc transgenic mice models exhibit distinct lung adenocarcinoma phenotypes (disseminated and circumscribed, respectively).
- These models are valuable for studying lung cancer development and therapeutic interventions.
- The need for advanced imaging techniques to assess these models in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the technical feasibility of combined micro-Positron Emission Tomography (micro-PET) and micro-Computed Tomography (micro-CT) in SPC-raf and SPC-myc mouse models.
- To correlate in vivo imaging findings with histological assessments of lung tumors.
- To determine the radiation dose administered during combined micro-PET/micro-CT examinations.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen C57BL/6 mice (nontransgenic, SPC-raf, and SPC-myc) underwent in vivo micro-CT and (18)F-Fluoro-deoxyglucose micro-PET imaging.
- Image processing included corrections for random events and scatter, followed by 3D-FORE/2D-OSEM reconstruction and rigid registration.
- Tumor-to-non-tumor ratios, diffuse tumor quantification via micro-CT segmentation, histological grading, and radiation dosimetry were performed.
Main Results:
- Micro-CT successfully visualized both diffuse and circumscribed lung tumors, providing morphological details.
- Micro-PET offered metabolic information but lacked detailed morphology; mean tumor-to-non-tumor ratio for circumscribed lesions was 2.47.
- No significant correlation was found between histological tumor load and tumor-to-non-tumor ratio for diffuse tumors in SPC-raf mice. Additional radiation dose was ~140 mGy (micro-PET) + ~200 mGy (micro-CT).
Conclusions:
- Combined micro-PET/micro-CT imaging is technically feasible for in vivo assessment of lung tumors in SPC-raf and SPC-myc transgenic mice.
- The technique demonstrates potential for evaluating lung cancer progression (carcinogenesis) and response to treatment strategies.
- This imaging modality is particularly promising for studies involving circumscribed lung tumors.
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