title: Characterization of two mouse models of metastatic pheochromocytoma using bioluminescence imaging.
abstract: Pheochromocytoma is the most common tumor of the adrenal medulla in adults. The lack of sensitive animal models of pheochromocytoma has hindered the study of this tumor and in vivo evaluation of antitumor agents. In this study we generated two sensitive luciferase models using bioluminescent pheochromocytoma cells: an experimental metastasis model to monitor tumor spreading and a subcutaneous model to monitor tumor growth and spontaneous metastasis. These models offer a platform for sensitive, non-invasive and real-time monitoring of pheochromocytoma primary growth and metastatic burden to follow the course of tumor progression and for testing relevant antitumor treatments in metastatic pheochromocytoma.
authors.affiliation: Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1109, USA. giubella@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giubellino
authors.forename: Girma M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Woldemichael
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sourbier
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lizak
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.forename: Arthur S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Tischler
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pacak
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D000818:Animals; D015197:Carcinogenicity Tests / Q000379:methods; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D008156:Luciferases