Experimental imaging in orthotopic renal cell carcinoma xenograft models: comparative evaluation of high-resolution 3D ultrasonography, in-vivo micro-CT and 9.4T MRI

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to comparatively evaluate high-resolution 3D ultrasonography (hrUS), in-vivo micro-CT (μCT) and 9.4T MRI for the monitoring of tumor growth in an orthotopic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) xenograft model since there is a lack of validated, non-invasive imaging tools for this purpose. 1 × 106 Caki-2 RCC cells were implanted under the renal capsule of 16 immunodeficient mice. Local and systemic tumor growth were monitored by regular hrUS, μCT and MRI examinations. Cells engrafted in all mice and gave rise to exponentially growing, solid tumors. All imaging techniques allowed to detect orthotopic tumors and to precisely calculate their volumes. While tumors appeared homogenously radiolucent in μCT, hrUS and MRI allowed for a better visualization of intratumoral structures and surrounding soft tissue. Examination time was the shortest for hrUS, followed by μCT and MRI. Tumor volumes determined by hrUS, μCT and MRI showed a very good correlation with each other and with caliper measurements at autopsy. 10 animals developed pulmonary metastases being well detectable by μCT and MRI. In conclusion, each technique has specific strengths and weaknesses, so the one(s) best suitable for a specific experiment may be chosen individually.

A novel mouse model of human prostate cancer to study intraprostatic tumor growth and the development of lymph node metastases

“…However, it enables an excellent visualization of the skeletal system and might therefore be the most appropriate imaging technique to detect bone metastases though we did not observe such in our study. Besides that, lung metastases can be reliable detected by in vivo micro‐CT …”

“…[36][37][38] However, it enables an excellent visualization of the skeletal system and might therefore be the most appropriate imaging technique to detect bone metastases 39 though we did not observe such in our study. Besides that, lung metastases can be reliable detected by in vivo micro-CT. 40 One alternative technique frequently used to monitor tumor growth in orthotopic xenograft models of PCa is bioluminescence, 41,42 which is easy to use but comes along with some serious constraints:…”

Patient-Derived Xenograft Models in Urological Malignancies: Urothelial Cell Carcinoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma

“…The approach involves a 5-7 mm incision parallel to and below the 13th rib. After dissecting through subcutaneous tissue and muscle, the kidney is pushed out through the incision [27]. Tumor cells can be put into a .…”

“…The approach involves a 5-7 mm incision parallel to and below the 13th rib. After dissecting through subcutaneous tissue and muscle, the kidney is pushed out through the incision [27]. Tumor cells can be put into a solution with Matrigel and injected into the renal subcapsular space using a small Hamilton needle, or a small incision in the capsule can be made and the donor tumor fragment can be placed under the capsule sheath.…”

The Role of Non-Canonical Hsp70s (Hsp110/Grp170) in Cancer

“…Sec proteins form part of the heterotrimeric Sec61 and the dimeric Sec62/Sec63 complexes located in the ER membrane [109]. These complexes are thought to play a central role in the translocation of nascent and newly synthesized precursor polypeptides into the ER.…”