Methods for detecting host genetic modifiers of tumor vascular function using dynamic near-infrared fluorescence...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genetics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Vascular supply is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis.
• Endogenous genetic modifiers of tumor vascular function within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify host genetic modifiers that affect tumor vascular function in the TME.
• To utilize a novel Consomic Xenograft Model combined with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and pharmacokinetic (pK) modeling.

Main Methods:

• Employed dynamic NIR fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green dye and a 785 nm laser for whole-body vascular flow detection.
• Utilized principal component analysis for segmentation of lung, liver, and tumor regions.
• Quantified vascular function through pK modeling of imaging data.

Main Results:

• Identified significantly altered tissue perfusion and vascular permeability.
• Demonstrated that host genetic modifiers in the TME are responsible for these vascular changes.
• Validated NIR fluorescence imaging as a tool for characterizing TME vascular function.

Conclusions:

• Host genetic modifiers significantly impact vascular function within the tumor microenvironment.
• NIR fluorescence imaging offers a non-invasive method to study these modifiers.
• Understanding these modifiers is critical for tumor risk assessment, progression tracking, and therapeutic response prediction.