title: Real-time Non-invasive Spectral Imaging of Orthotopic Red Fluorescent Protein-expressing Lung Tumor Growth in Nude Mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Orthotopic implantation of cancer allows metastasis to occur. The most patient-like metastatic orthotopic models are developed with surgical orthotopic implantation using intact tissue in order to preserve the natural tissue structure of the tumor which contains both cancer cells and stroma.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we performed a simple thoracotomy by making an intercostal incision between the fourth and fifth ribs on the left side of the chest of nude mice. Lung tumor fragments expressing red fluorescent protein were then implanted on the left lung.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was possible to monitor tumor formation in the lung non-invasively by spectral imaging using the Maestro system with a liquid tunable filter. The model described here has high tumorigenicity in the lung (100%) and a low mortality rate (5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This imageable nude mouse model using surgical orthotopic implantation of lung cancer will be useful for all types of longitudinal studies.
authors.affiliation: AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A. Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A. all@anticancer.com.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hoffman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation / Q000473:pathology; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein
chemical_list: D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein
keywords: Lung cancer; high tumor take rates; noninvasive imaging; nude mice; spectral separation; surgical orthotopic implantation