Real-time high-resolution compound imaging allows percutaneous initiation and surveillance in an orthotopic murine pancreatic cancer model.
OBJECTIVE
Orthotopic tumor models are regarded as being suitable for preclinical research on pancreatic cancer. The anatomic localization of the tumor in the retroperitoneum, however, provides little possibility for monitoring tumor growth.


METHODS
To assess time-related changes in orthotopic tumor volume, we applied transabdominal high-resolution compound imaging to the murine pancreas. A 15-MHz ultrasound probe was used to determine the feasibility of real-time transabdominal high-resolution ultrasonography to initiate tumor growth by inoculation of pancreatic tumor cells into the pancreas and monitor tumor growth, as well as use as a tool for assessing response to chemotherapy.


RESULTS
High-resolution ultrasound allows for precise tumor inoculation in the pancreas. Sonographic-evaluated tumor weight was found to be closely related to actual tumor weight (R = 0.97) measured during necropsy.


CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution real-time compound imaging substitutes killing of mice during longitudinal studies and can be used for minimizing animal consumption because each mouse can be followed in an experimental group rather than having to resort to euthanasia for tissue harvesting.
Ziske
Carsten
C
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany.
Tiemann
Klaus
K
Schmidt
Tanja
T
Nagaraj
Srinivas
S
Märten
Angela
A
Schmitz
Volker
V
Clarenbach
Ricarda
R
Sauerbruch
Tilman
T
Schmidt-Wolf
Ingo G H
IG
D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine