In vivo imaging of prostate cancer involving bone in a mouse model.
BACKGROUND
We compared the abilities of clinically relevant imaging modalities to quantify prostate cancer involving bone in a mouse model. Such non-invasive methods are needed pre-clinically to understand tumor biology and to evaluate therapy.


METHODS
Human prostate cancer cells (MDA PCa 2b) or vehicle were injected into the right or left femur of SCID mice (n = 8). Radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed 5 and 8 weeks later (n = 7). Bone scintigraphy (n = 6) was also performed at week 8. Imaging findings were compared with histology and correlated with contemporaneous serum prostate-specific antigen levels.


RESULTS
Among the modalities evaluated, only MR imaging delineated prostate tumors involving bone. Tumor volume assessed by MR imaging correlated with PSA levels (R(2) = 0.87, P < 0.001). MR imaging of tumors corresponded with histology. Imaging of mineralized bone by CT corresponded with histology.


CONCLUSIONS
In a mouse model, prostate tumors involving bone can be quantified using MR imaging.
Kundra
Vikas
V
Department of Radiology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. vkundra@di.mdacc.tmc.edu
Ng
Chaan S
CS
Ma
Jingfei
J
Bankson
James A
JA
Price
Roger E
RE
Cody
Dianna D
DD
Do
Kim-Anh
KA
Han
Lin
L
Navone
Nora M
NM
D000818:Animals; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured