Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Utilization of Ultrasound Guided Tissue-directed Cellular Implantation for the Establishment of Biologically Relevant Metastatic Tumor Xenografts
Published on: May 25, 2018
Tissue-directed Implantation Using Ultrasound Visualization for Development of Biologically Relevant Metastatic Tumor
Raelene A VAN Noord1, Tina Thomas1, Melanie Krook2
1Department of Surgery, C.S Mott Children's and Women's Hospital, Mott Solid Tumor Oncology Program, The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, U.S.A.
Background:
Advances in cancer therapeutics depend on reliable in vivo model systems. To develop biologically relevant xenografts, ultrasound was utilized for tissue-directed implantation of neuroblastoma (NB) cell line and patient-derived tumors in the adrenal gland, and for renal subcapsular engraftment of Ewing's sarcoma (ES).
Materials And Methods:
NB xenografts were established by direct adrenal injection of luciferase-transfected NB cell lines (IMR32, SH-SY5Y, SK-N-BE2) or NB patient-derived tumor cells (UMNBL001, UMNBL002). ES xenografts were established by renal subcapsular injection of TC32, A673, CHLA-25, or A4573 cells. Progression was monitored by in vivo imaging.
Results:
Tumors progressed to local disease with metastasis evident by 5 weeks. Metastatic sites included cortical bone, lung, liver, and lymph nodes. Xenografted tumors retained immunochemical features of the original cancer.
Conclusion:
Human NB adrenal xenografts, including two patient-derived orthotopic, and ES renal subcapsular xenografts were established by ultrasound without open surgery. Tissue-directed implantation is an effective technique for developing metastatic preclinical models.
