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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Minimally Invasive Establishment of Murine Orthotopic Bladder Xenografts
Published on: February 11, 2014
A Multimodal Imaging Approach for Longitudinal Evaluation of Bladder Tumor Development in an Orthotopic Murine Model
Chantal Scheepbouwer1, Sandra Meyer2, Maroeska J Burggraaf1,3
1Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Bladder cancer is the fourth most common malignancy amongst men in Western industrialized countries with an initial response rate of 70% for the non-muscle invasive type, and improving therapy efficacy is highly needed. For this, an appropriate, reliable animal model is essential to gain insight into mechanisms of tumor growth for use in response monitoring of (new) agents. Several animal models have been described in previous studies, but so far success has been hampered due to the absence of imaging methods to follow tumor growth non-invasively over time. Recent developments of multimodal imaging methods for use in animal research have substantially strengthened these options of in vivo visualization of tumor growth. In the present study, a multimodal imaging approach was addressed to investigate bladder tumor proliferation longitudinally. The complementary abilities of Bioluminescence, High Resolution Ultrasound and Photo-acoustic Imaging permit a better understanding of bladder tumor development. Hybrid imaging modalities allow the integration of individual strengths to enable sensitive and improved quantification and understanding of tumor biology, and ultimately, can aid in the discovery and development of new therapeutics.
Insights
Developing advanced imaging techniques is crucial for monitoring bladder cancer growth in animal models. This study introduces a multimodal imaging approach to better understand tumor proliferation and aid new therapeutic development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
- Preclinical Research
Background:
- Bladder cancer is a significant health concern, particularly in men, with a high initial response rate for non-muscle invasive types, yet improved therapeutic efficacy is crucial.
- Developing reliable animal models is essential for understanding tumor growth mechanisms and monitoring therapeutic responses.
- Previous animal models have been limited by the lack of non-invasive methods for tracking tumor progression over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bladder tumor proliferation longitudinally using a multimodal imaging approach in an animal model.
- To establish a reliable method for in vivo visualization and monitoring of bladder tumor growth.
- To enhance the understanding of bladder tumor biology for the development of new therapeutic agents.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a multimodal imaging strategy combining Bioluminescence Imaging (BLI), High Resolution Ultrasound (HRUS), and Photo-acoustic Imaging (PAI).
- Employed longitudinal in vivo tracking of bladder tumor development.
- Integrated complementary strengths of different imaging modalities for comprehensive analysis.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the feasibility of using a multimodal imaging approach for longitudinal bladder tumor studies.
- Showcased how combining BLI, HRUS, and PAI provides a deeper understanding of tumor development.
- Highlighted the potential for sensitive and improved quantification of tumor biology.
Conclusions:
- Multimodal imaging offers a powerful tool for studying bladder tumor growth in vivo.
- This approach enhances the understanding of tumor biology and aids in the evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies.
- The developed imaging model can accelerate the discovery and development of new bladder cancer treatments.
