Measurement of pO₂ in a Pre-clinical Model of Rabbit Tumor Using OxyChip, a Paramagnetic Oxygen Sensor

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Physics
• Pre-clinical Research

Background:

• Accurate tumor oxygen (pO2) measurement is crucial for cancer research and treatment.
• Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry offers a potential method for pO2 sensing.
• Previous development of oxygen-sensing paramagnetic crystals (LiNc-BuO) in a polymer (OxyChip) has been reported.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry with OxyChip as a robust technology for practical tumor oxygen measurement.
• To validate the use of OxyChip for noninvasive pO2 measurements in a pre-clinical large-animal model.

Main Methods:

• Development of oxygen-sensing paramagnetic crystals (LiNc-BuO) encapsulated in a biocompatible polymer (OxyChip).
• Application of OxyChip for pO2 measurements in the tumor of a pre-clinical, large-animal rabbit model.
• Utilizing EPR oximetry principles for signal detection and quantification.

Main Results:

• OxyChip successfully enabled pO2 measurements in a large-animal tumor model.
• The technology demonstrated capability for noninvasive and repeated measurements.
• Data confirms the feasibility of EPR oximetry for in-vivo tumor oxygen monitoring.

Conclusions:

• OxyChip, based on EPR oximetry, is a practical tool for measuring tumor oxygen.
• The technology is validated for noninvasive and repeated pO2 measurements in a pre-clinical large-animal model.
• This approach holds promise for advancing cancer research and therapeutic monitoring.