title: In vivo imaging of human breast cancer mouse model with high level expression of calcium sensing receptor at 3T.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate that manganese can visualise calcium sensing receptor (CaSR)-expressing cells in a human breast cancer murine model, as assessed by clinical 3T magnetic resonance (MR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Human MDA-MB-231-Luc or MCF7-Luc breast cancer cells were orthotopically grown in NOD/SCID mice to a minimum mass of 5 mm. Mice were evaluated on T1-weighted sequences before and after intravenous injection of MnCl(2). To block the CaSR-activated Ca(2+) channels, verapamil was injected at the tumour site 5 min before Mn(2+) administration. CaSR expression in vivo was studied by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Contrast enhancement was observed at the tumour periphery 10 min after Mn(2+) administration, and further increased up to 40 min. In verapamil-treated mice, no contrast enhancement was observed. CaSR was strongly expressed at the tumour periphery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Manganese enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can visualise CaSR-expressing breast cancer cells in vivo, opening up possibilities for a new MR contrast agent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Manganese contrast agents helped demonstrate breast cancer cells in an animal model. • Enhancement was most marked in cells with high calcium sensing receptor expression. • Manganese uptake was related to the distribution of CaSR within the tumour. • Manganese MRI may become useful to investigate human breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, IST, National Cancer Institute, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy. gabriella.baio@istge.it
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baio
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fabbi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Emionite
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cilli
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvi
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghedin
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prato
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carbotti
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tagliafico
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Truini
authors.forename: Carlo Emanuele
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Neumaier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002712:Chlorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D017895:Manganese Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D016513:Mice, SCID; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / Q000378:metabolism*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D003287:Contrast Media; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing; D014700:Verapamil; C025340:manganese chloride