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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Non-invasive intravital imaging of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in live mice
Panomwat Amornphimoltham1, Jamie Thompson1, Nicolas Melis2
1Intracellular Membrane Trafficking Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, USA.
Abstract:
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers with a 50% 5-year survival rate. Understanding the mechanisms that control development, progression, and spreading of the tumor to distal sites is of paramount importance to develop effective therapies. Here, we describe a minimally invasive procedure, which enables performing intravital microscopy of the mouse tongue in models for oral cancer and provides structural and dynamic information of the tumors at cellular and subcellular level.
Insights
Researchers developed a new minimally invasive technique for intravital microscopy of mouse tongue tumors. This method offers detailed cellular and subcellular insights into oral cancer progression, crucial for developing new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a prevalent cancer with a poor 5-year survival rate.
- Understanding tumor development, progression, and metastasis is critical for effective cancer therapy.
- Current imaging techniques may lack the resolution to fully capture dynamic tumor processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel minimally invasive procedure for intravital microscopy of oral tumors in mouse models.
- To provide high-resolution structural and dynamic information at the cellular and subcellular levels.
- To facilitate the study of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Development of a minimally invasive surgical approach for mouse tongue imaging.
- Implementation of intravital microscopy techniques for real-time tumor observation.
- Acquisition of cellular and subcellular data in a live oral cancer model.
Main Results:
- The described procedure enables successful intravital microscopy of the mouse tongue.
- Structural and dynamic information of oral tumors was obtained at cellular and subcellular resolution.
- The technique proved effective in a mouse model for oral cancer.
Conclusions:
- This minimally invasive intravital microscopy technique is a valuable tool for studying oral cancer.
- The method provides unprecedented insights into tumor biology, aiding therapeutic development.
- Further research utilizing this technique can advance our understanding and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
