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Updated: Mar 25, 2026
A Mouse Model of Incompletely Resected Soft Tissue Sarcoma for Testing Neoadjuvant Therapies
Published on: July 28, 2020
A Fluorescence-Guided Laser Ablation System for Removal of Residual Cancer in a Mouse Model of Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Alexander L Lazarides1, Melodi J Whitley2, David B Strasfeld3
11. School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
Abstract:
The treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) generally involves tumor excision with a wide margin. Although advances in fluorescence imaging make real-time detection of cancer possible, removal is limited by the precision of the human eye and hand. Here, we describe a novel pulsed Nd:YAG laser ablation system that, when used in conjunction with a previously described molecular imaging system, can identify and ablate cancer in vivo. Mice with primary STS were injected with the protease-activatable probe LUM015 to label tumors. Resected tissues from the mice were then imaged and treated with the laser using the paired fluorescence-imaging/ laser ablation device, generating ablation clefts with sub-millimeter precision and minimal underlying tissue damage. Laser ablation was guided by fluorescence to target tumor tissues, avoiding normal structures. The selective ablation of tumor implants in vivo improved recurrence-free survival after tumor resection in a cohort of 14 mice compared to 12 mice that received no ablative therapy. This prototype system has the potential to be modified so that it can be used during surgery to improve recurrence-free survival in patients with cancer.
Insights
This study introduces a new laser ablation system for precise cancer removal. The system improves recurrence-free survival in mice with soft tissue sarcoma by accurately targeting tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Surgical Technology
Background:
- Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) treatment relies on wide tumor excision.
- Current surgical precision is limited by human visual and manual dexterity.
- Fluorescence imaging aids real-time cancer detection but not precise removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel pulsed Nd:YAG laser ablation system for precise in vivo cancer treatment.
- To combine molecular imaging with laser ablation for enhanced tumor targeting and removal.
- To assess the impact of this system on recurrence-free survival in soft tissue sarcoma models.
Main Methods:
- A pulsed Nd:YAG laser ablation system was developed and paired with a molecular imaging system.
- Mice with primary STS received the protease-activatable probe LUM015 for tumor labeling.
- Resected tissues were imaged and treated with the laser ablation device for precise tumor removal.
Main Results:
- The system achieved sub-millimeter precision ablation with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Fluorescence guidance enabled selective tumor targeting, sparing normal structures.
- Selective tumor ablation significantly improved recurrence-free survival in mice with STS.
Conclusions:
- The novel fluorescence-guided laser ablation system demonstrates high precision in targeting and removing soft tissue sarcoma in vivo.
- This technology has the potential to enhance surgical outcomes by improving recurrence-free survival.
- Further modifications could enable clinical application for improved cancer surgery.
