In vivo imaging and treatment of solid tumor using integrated photoacoustic imaging and high intensity focused ultrasound system.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to show the feasibility of combined contrast imaging and treatment of solid tumor in vivo by an integrated photoacoustic imaging and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system.


METHODS
During this study, photoacoustic imaging was performed to identify the location of a CT26 tumor, which was subcutaneously inoculated on the hip of a BALB/c mouse. Then the CT26 tumor was ablated by HIFU with the guidance of photoacoustic images. To enhance the contrast and specificity of photoacoustic imaging, gold nanorods were used as the contrast agents during the experiment. After being injected into the blood stream, gold nanorods passively accumulated around the tumor region, and therefore outlined the location and shape of the tumor in the photoacoustic images, which were used to guide the subsequent HIFU therapy.


RESULTS
The experiment results showed that the tumor was clearly visible on photoacoustic images after the injection of gold nanorods and HIFU was able to ablate the tumor under the guidance of photoacoustic imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors demonstrated that their integrated photoacoustic imaging and HIFU system has the potential for contrast imaging with gold nanorods with possible diagnosis and treatment of solid tumors.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Bioengineering Research Center, University of Kansas, 5109 Learned Hall, 1530 West 15th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA.
Huizhong
H
Cui
Xinmai
X
Yang
D000818:Animals; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006046:Gold / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D043942:Nanotubes; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D018511:Systems Integration; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*
D006046:Gold