title: A novel orthotopic mouse model of head and neck cancer with molecular imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our goal was to develop a noninvasive, dynamic imaging method that would further the understanding of head and neck cancer (HNC) tumor growth and local spreading. We developed a novel orthotopic mouse model of HNC with a stable cell line expressing a red fluorescent protein gene to compare a molecular imaging tumor quantification with traditional caliper measurement.
  
  
  METHODS
  An HNC-tdT stable cell line expressing the tdTomato gene was established, which were injected into the floor of the mouth of nude mice. Tumor growth was constantly monitored using molecular imaging for up to 35 days. The tumors were further evaluated by histologic examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Established tumors consistently expressed fluorescent signals that were successfully imaged by molecular imaging during the study. Initial tumor development was detected earlier than caliper measurement would allow. The fluorescent signal quantities of tumors detected by the imaging correlated with the tumor sizes measured by calipers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This novel animal model represents an orthotopic human HNC model. The tumor can be detected earlier with molecular imaging than by conventional external caliper measurement. Unlike surgical measurement, the tumor can be quantified without disturbing the tumor environment. This model has significant potential for HNC oncologic research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Nishant P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyamoto
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.forename: Tingyan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: Bert W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: O'Malley
authors.forename: Daqing
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D014162:Transfection; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein
chemical_list: D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein