Related Experiment Video For In vivo imaging
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Murine Model for Non-invasive Imaging to Detect and Monitor Ovarian Cancer Recurrence
Published on: November 2, 2014
Improving ovarian cancer imaging with LHRH-NBs: an experimental study
Wenjuan Li1, Lingping Zhang2, Yuanfang Zhu3,4
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Wuxi, 214002, Jiangshu, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
Our previous study used freeze-drying and biotin-avidin binding methods and obtained nontargeted nanobubbles (N-NBs) and ovarian cancer-targeting nanobubbles (LHRH-NBs, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone nanobubbles). Our study also identified the physical and chemical properties of these two contrast agents, and validated the targeting ability and underlying mechanisms of LHRH-NBs in vitro. The present study investigated the imaging of N-NBs and LHRH-NBs in nude mice and their binding with tissues.
Methods:
The nude mice models of xenografts were divided into three groups, N-NB, LHRH-NB, and SonoVue. These contrast agents were injected via the caudal vein to observe the imaging of ovarian cancer. Fluorescence microscope was used to observe the penetration of N-NBs and LHRH-NBs through the vascular endothelial gaps. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the penetration of N-NBs and LHRH-NBs through vascular endothelial gaps and binding to the tumor cells.
Results:
The imaging intensity and duration were not significantly different between N-NBs and LHRH-NBs. The imaging intensity in the N-NB and LHRH-NB groups was not significantly different compared with the SonoVue group; however, the imaging duration in the N-NB and LHRH-NB groups was significantly longer than in the SonoVue group (P < 0.001). Both N-NBs and LHRH-NBs penetrated through the vascular endothelial gaps. After penetrating through the vascular endothelial gapes, LHRH-NBs could target and bind to the tumor cells.
Conclusions:
N-NBs and LHRH-NBs are of good imaging effectiveness and relatively long imaging duration. LHRH-NB is a potent contrast agent for imaging ovarian cancer, while achieving targeted delivery of drugs to the site of ovarian cancer.
