Publication
Title
Characterization of an orthotopic colorectal cancer mouse model and its feasibility for accurate quantification in positron emission tomography
Author
Abstract
Quantification in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of an orthotopic mouse model of colorectal cancer (CRC) is challenging due to difficult tumor delineation. We aimed to establish a reproducible delineation approach, evaluate its feasibility for reliable PET quantification and compare its added translational value with its subcutaneous counterpart. A subcutaneous Colo205-luc2 tumor fragment harvested from a donor mouse was transplanted onto the caecum of nude mice, with (n = 10) or without (n = 10) the addition of an X-ray detectable thread. Animals underwent 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose ([F-18]FDG) PET imaging, complemented with X-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 7T). Animals without a thread underwent additional contrast enhanced (Exitron) CT imaging. Tumors were delineated on the MRI, mu PET image or contrast enhanced mu CT images and correlations between in vivo and ex vivo [F-18]FDG tumor uptake as well as between image-derived and caliper-measured tumor volume were evaluated. Finally, cancer hallmarks were assessed immunohistochemically for the characterization of both models. Our results showed the strongest correlation between both in vivo and ex vivo uptake (r = 0.84, p < 0.0001) and image-derived and caliper-measured tumor volume (r = 0.96, p < 0.0001) when the tumor was delineated on the MR image. Orthotopic tumors displayed an abundance of stroma, higher levels of proliferation (p = 0.0007), apoptosis (p = 0.02), and necrosis (p < 0.0001), a higher number of blood vessels (p < 0.0001); yet lower tumor hypoxia (p < 0.0001) as compared with subcutaneous tumors. This orthotopic mouse model proved to be a promising tool for the investigation of CRC through preclinical imaging studies provided the availability of anatomical MR images for accurate tumor delineation. Furthermore, the tumor microenvironment of the orthotopic tumor resembled more that of human CRC, increasing its likelihood to advance translational nuclear imaging studies of CRC.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Molecular imaging and biology. - Place of publication unknown
Publication
Place of publication unknown : 2017
ISSN
1536-1632
DOI
10.1007/S11307-017-1051-4
Volume/pages
19 :5 (2017) , p. 762-771
ISI
000408699500014
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Molecular imaging for early response assessment of drugs targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway in an HER-2 amplified breast cancer model.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 21.02.2017
Last edited 09.10.2023
To cite this reference