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Updated: Sep 18, 2025
In Vivo Imaging and Quantitation of the Host Angiogenic Response in Zebrafish Tumor Xenografts
Published on: August 14, 2019
Multimodal Investigation of Angiogenesis and Its Prevention by Small Compounds in a Zebrafish Cancer Model
Marco Andreana1, Ryan Sentosa1, Caterina Sturtzel2,3
1Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria.
Abstract:
Aberrant angiogenesis is a hallmark of many pathologies. In cancer, tumor growth and metastasis strongly depend on angiogenesis triggered by neoplastic cells. Antiangiogenic therapies are approved to treat different kinds of cancer. However, the success of these treatments is so far limited as some patients do not respond at all and others develop resistances. Thus, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving tumor angiogenesis and the variations in tumor vessels is crucial. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a fast volumetric imaging technique that provides detailed insights into tumor vascularization and perfusion of vessels in a label-free and non-invasive manner. An ultra-high resolution OCTA and confocal fluorescence imaging pipeline are developed to analyze tumor vascularization and blood perfusion in vivo, using a zebrafish cancer model. OCTA imaging operating at 800 nm is optimized to show slow blood flow allowing to compare the functionality of blood vessels in healthy and tumor-bearing zebrafish. Furthermore, effects of small compounds on tumor vascularization can be investigated with our setup. The key outcomes include a qualitative assessment of vascularization and blood vessel perfusion, along with a quantitative analysis of vessel structure, to evaluate how effective the drugs were at different concentrations.
Insights
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) offers a novel way to study tumor blood vessels. This technique helps researchers understand anti-cancer drug effectiveness by analyzing tumor vascularization and blood flow in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Imaging
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Aberrant angiogenesis is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis.
- Current anti-angiogenic therapies face limitations due to patient response and resistance.
- Understanding tumor vascularization mechanisms is vital for improving cancer treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) pipeline for in vivo tumor vascularization analysis.
- To compare blood vessel functionality in healthy versus tumor-bearing zebrafish models.
- To assess the efficacy of small compounds in modulating tumor vascularization and blood perfusion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an ultra-high resolution OCTA and confocal fluorescence imaging pipeline in a zebrafish cancer model.
- Optimized 800 nm OCTA imaging to detect slow blood flow and analyze vessel structure.
- Performed qualitative and quantitative assessments of vascularization and blood perfusion.
Main Results:
- The OCTA pipeline successfully visualized and analyzed tumor vascularization and blood perfusion in vivo.
- Differences in blood vessel functionality between healthy and tumor-bearing zebrafish were identified.
- The setup allowed for the evaluation of small compounds' effects on tumor vascularization at various concentrations.
Conclusions:
- OCTA is a powerful non-invasive tool for studying tumor angiogenesis and evaluating anti-cancer drug efficacy.
- This imaging approach provides detailed insights into tumor vascular structure and blood flow dynamics.
- The developed pipeline can aid in the discovery and development of novel anti-angiogenic therapies.
