Animal model of metastatic pheochromocytoma: evaluation by MRI and PET.
OBJECTIVE
The development of metastatic pheochromocytoma animal model provides a unique opportunity to study the physiology of these rare tumors and to evaluate experimental treatments. Here, we describe the use of small animal imaging techniques to detect, localize and characterize metastatic lesions in nude mice.


METHODS
Small animal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to detect metastatic lesions in nude mice following intravenous injection of mouse pheochromocytoma cells. [18F]-6-fluoro-dopamine ([18F]-DA) and [18F]-L-6-fluoro-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, which are commonly used for localization of pheochromocytoma lesions in clinical practice, were selected as radiotracers to monitor metastatic lesions by PET.


RESULTS
MRI was able to detect liver lesions as small as 0.5mm in diameter. Small animal PET imaging using [18F]-DA and [18F]-DOPA detected liver, adrenal gland, and ovarian lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that MRI is a valuable technique for tumor growth monitoring from very early to late stages of tumor progression and that animal PET confirmed localization of metastatic pheochromocytoma in liver with both radiotracers.
Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
L
L
Martiniova
E W
EW
Lai
D
D
Thomasson
D O
DO
Kiesewetter
J
J
Seidel
M J
MJ
Merino
R
R
Kvetnansky
K
K
Pacak
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000818:Animals; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C043437:fluorodopa F 18; C029253:6-fluorodopamine; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; D004298:Dopamine