Where it's at really matters: in situ in vivo vascular endothelial growth factor spatially correlates with electron paramagnetic resonance pO2 images in tumors of living mice.
OBJECTIVE
Tumor microenvironments show remarkable tumor pO(2) heterogeneity, as seen in prior EPR pO(2) images (EPROI). pO(2) correlation with hypoxia response proteins is frustrated by large rapid pO(2) changes with position.


METHODS
To overcome this limitation, biopsies stereotactically located in the EPROI were used to explore the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) concentrations in living mouse tumors and the local EPROI pO(2).


RESULTS
Quantitative ELISA VEGF concentrations correlated (p = 0.0068 to 0.019) with mean pO(2), median pO(2), and the fraction of voxels in the biopsy volume with pO(2) less than 3, 6, and 10 Torr.


CONCLUSIONS
This validates EPROI hypoxic fractions at the molecular level and provides a new paradigm for the assessment of the relationship, in vivo, between hypoxia and hypoxia response proteins. When translated to human subjects, this will enhance understanding of human tumor pathophysiology and cancer response to therapy.
Elas
Martyna
M
Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Hleihel
Danielle
D
Barth
Eugene D
ED
Haney
Chad R
CR
Ahn
Kang-Hyun
KH
Pelizzari
Charles A
CA
Epel
Boris
B
Weichselbaum
Ralph R
RR
Halpern
Howard J
HJ
D000818:Animals; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010313:Partial Pressure; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D010100:Oxygen