[Hepatocellular carcinoma and angiogenesis imaging using synchrotron radiation]

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Oncology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern.
• Accurate detection and characterization of tumor angiogenesis are crucial for effective HCC treatment.
• Existing imaging modalities may have limitations in visualizing fine tumor vasculature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of synchrotron radiation microangiography for detecting angiogenesis in an ex vivo murine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model.
• To compare synchrotron imaging results with traditional immunohistological methods.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of an HCC xenograft model in male mice.
• Barium sulfate infusion for contrast enhancement of liver and tumor vasculature.
• Ex vivo imaging using synchrotron radiation at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility.
• Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor vasculature using CD31, CD34, and F8 markers.

Main Results:

• High-resolution images revealed displacement of normal blood vessels by rapidly growing tumors.
• Abundant, tortuous angiogenesis was observed at the tumor periphery, with sparse vascularization within the tumor.
• Synchrotron imaging results correlated well with immunohistological findings.
• The technique visualized tumor vessels as small as approximately 20 micrometers in diameter.

Conclusions:

• Microangiography with synchrotron radiation, utilizing barium sulfate as a contrast agent, is a viable imaging strategy for visualizing tumor angiogenesis.
• This technique provides detailed insights into the vascular architecture of HCC, aiding in understanding tumor development and progression.