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Predicting Clinical Efficacy of Vascular Disrupting Agents in Rodent Models of Primary and Secondary Liver Cancers: An Overview with Imaging-Histopathology Correlation. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10020078. [PMID: 32024029 PMCID: PMC7168934 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10020078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) have entered clinical trials for over 15 years. As the leading VDA, combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) has been evaluated in combination with chemotherapy and molecular targeting agents among patients with ovarian cancer, lung cancer and thyroid cancer, but still remains rarely explored in human liver cancers. To overcome tumor residues and regrowth after CA4P monotherapy, a novel dual targeting pan-anticancer theragnostic strategy, i.e., OncoCiDia, has been developed and shown promise previously in secondary liver tumor models. Animal model of primary liver cancer is time consuming to induce, but of value for more closely mimicking human liver cancers in terms of tumor angiogenesis, histopathological heterogeneity, cellular differentiation, tumor components, cancer progression and therapeutic response. Being increasingly adopted in VDA researches, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides imaging biomarkers to reflect in vivo tumor responses to drugs. In this article as a chapter of a doctoral thesis, we overview the construction and clinical relevance of primary and secondary liver cancer models in rodents. Target selection for CA4P therapy assisted by enhanced MRI using hepatobiliary contrast agents (CAs), and therapeutic efficacy evaluated by using MRI with a non-specific contrast agent, dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) imaging, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) are also described. We then summarize diverse responses among primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), secondary liver and pancreatic tumors to CA4P, which appeared to be related to tumor size, vascularity, and cellular differentiation. In general, imaging-histopathology correlation studies allow to conclude that CA4P tends to be more effective in secondary liver tumors and in more differentiated HCCs, but less effective in less differentiated HCCs and implanted pancreatic tumor. Notably, cirrhotic liver may be responsive to CA4P as well. All these could be instructive for future clinical trials of VDAs.
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Liu Y, Guan Q, Kong X, De Keyzer F, Feng Y, Chen F, Yu J, Liu J, Song S, van Pelt J, Swinnen J, Bormans G, Oyen R, Wang S, Huang G, Ni Y, Li Y. Predicting Therapeutic Efficacy of Vascular Disrupting Agent CA4P in Rats with Liver Tumors by Hepatobiliary Contrast Agent Mn-DPDP-Enhanced MRI. Transl Oncol 2019; 13:92-101. [PMID: 31810003 PMCID: PMC6909075 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate hepatobiliary-specific contrast agent (CA) mangafodipir trisodium (Mn-DPDP)–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of the vascular disrupting agent combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) in rats with primary and secondary liver tumors, 36 primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were raised by diethylnitrosamine gavage in 16 male rats, in 6 of which one rhabdomyosarcomas (R1) was intrahepatically implanted as secondary liver tumors. On a 3.0T MR scanner with a wrist coil, tumors were monitored weekly by T2-/T1-weighted images (T2WI/T1WI) and characterized by Mn-DPDP-enhanced MRI. CA4P-induced intratumoral necrosis was depicted by nonspecific gadoterate meglumine (Gd-DOTA)–enhanced MRI before and 12 h after therapy. Changes of tumor-to-liver contrast (ΔT/L) on Mn-DPDP-enhanced images were analyzed. In vivo MRI findings were verified by postmortem microangiography and histopathology. Rat models of primary HCCs in a full spectrum of differentiation and secondary R1 liver tumors were successfully generated. Mn-DPDP-enhanced ΔT/L was negatively correlated with HCC differentiation grade (P < 0.01). After treatment with CA4P, more extensive tumoral necrosis was found in highly differentiated HCCs than that in moderately and poorly differentiated ones (P < 0.01); nearly complete necrosis was induced in secondary liver tumors. Mn-DPDP-enhanced MRI may help in imaging diagnosis of primary and secondary liver malignancies of different cellular differentiations and further in predicting CA4P therapeutic efficacy in primary HCCs and intrahepatic metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yewei Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium; Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) & Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qiu Guan
- College of Computer Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xiangyong Kong
- College of Computer Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | | | - Yuanbo Feng
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Feng Chen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jie Yu
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Shaoli Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jos van Pelt
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Johan Swinnen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Guy Bormans
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Raymond Oyen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Shuncong Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Gang Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China; Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) & Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Yicheng Ni
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Yue Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
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Liu YW, De Keyzer F, Feng YB, Chen F, Song SL, Swinnen J, Bormans G, Oyen R, Huang G, Ni YC. Intra-individual comparison of therapeutic responses to vascular disrupting agent CA4P between rodent primary and secondary liver cancers. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:2710-2721. [PMID: 29991876 PMCID: PMC6034151 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i25.2710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To compare therapeutic responses of a vascular-disrupting-agent, combretastatin-A4-phosphate (CA4P), among hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and implanted rhabdomyosarcoma (R1) in the same rats by magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI), microangiography and histopathology.
METHODS Thirty-six HCCs were created by diethylnitrosamine gavage in 14 rats that were also intrahepatically implanted with one R1 per rat as monitored by T2-/T1-weighted images (T2WI/T1WI) on a 3.0T clinical MRI-scanner. Vascular response and tumoral necrosis were detected by dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-) and CE-MRI before, 1 h after and 12 h after CA4P iv at 10 mg/kg (treatment group n = 7) or phosphate-buffered saline at 1.0 mL/kg (control group n = 7). Tumor blood supply was calculated by a semiquantitative DCE parameter of area under the time signal intensity curve (AUC30). In vivo MRI findings were verified by postmortem techniques.
RESULTS On CE-T1WIs, unlike the negative response in all tumors of control animals, in treatment group CA4P caused rapid extensive vascular shutdown in all R1-tumors, but mildly or spottily in HCCs at 1 h. Consequently, tumor necrosis occurred massively in R1-tumors but patchily in HCCs at 12 h. AUC30 revealed vascular closure (66%) in R1-tumors at 1 h (P < 0.05), followed by further perfusion decrease at 12 h (P < 0.01), while less significant vascular clogging occurred in HCCs. Histomorphologically, CA4P induced more extensive necrosis in R1-tumors (92.6%) than in HCCs (50.2%) (P < 0.01); tumor vascularity heterogeneously scored +~+++ in HCCs but homogeneously scored ++ in R1-tumors.
CONCLUSION This study suggests superior performance of CA4P in metastatic over primary liver cancers, which could guide future clinical applications of vascular-disrupting-agents.
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MESH Headings
- Angiography
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood supply
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/chemically induced
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Contrast Media/administration & dosage
- Diethylnitrosamine/toxicity
- Humans
- Liver/diagnostic imaging
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/blood supply
- Liver Neoplasms/chemically induced
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/chemically induced
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/diagnostic imaging
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
- Male
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology
- Rats
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/blood supply
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/drug therapy
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/pathology
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/secondary
- Stilbenes/pharmacology
- Stilbenes/therapeutic use
- Treatment Outcome
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Wei Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) & Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200025, China
| | | | - Yuan-Bo Feng
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Feng Chen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Shao-Li Song
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Johan Swinnen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Guy Bormans
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Raymond Oyen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Gang Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) & Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yi-Cheng Ni
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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Liu Y, De Keyzer F, Wang Y, Wang F, Feng Y, Chen F, Yu J, Liu J, Song S, Swinnen J, Bormans G, Oyen R, Huang G, Ni Y. The first study on therapeutic efficacies of a vascular disrupting agent CA4P among primary hepatocellular carcinomas with a full spectrum of differentiation and vascularity: Correlation of MRI-microangiography-histopathology in rats. Int J Cancer 2018; 143:1817-1828. [PMID: 29707770 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To better inform the next clinical trials of vascular disrupting agent combretastatin-A4-phosphate (CA4P) in patients with hepatic malignancies, this preclinical study aimed at evaluating CA4P therapeutic efficacy in rats with primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) of a full spectrum of differentiation and vascularity by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), microangiography and histopathology. Ninety-six HCCs were raised in 25 rats by diethylnitrosamine gavage. Tumor growth was monitored by T2-/T1-weighted-MRI (T2WI, T1WI) using a 3.0 T scanner. Early vascular response and later intratumoral necrosis were detected by dynamic-contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI and diffusion-weighted-imaging (DWI) before, 1 and 12 hr after CA4P iv-administration. In vivo MRI-findings were validated by postmortem-techniques. Multi-parametric MRI revealed rapid CA4P-induced tumor vascular shutdown within 1 hr, followed by variable intratumoral necrosis at 12 hr. Tumor volumes decreased by 10% at 1 hr (p < 0.05), but resumed at 12 hr. Correlations of semi-quantitative DCE parameter initial-area-under-the-gadolinium-curve (IAUGC30) with histopathology proved partial vascular closure and compensational reopening (p < 0.05). The higher grades of vascularity prevented those residual tumor tissues from CA4P-caused ischemic necrosis. By histopathology using a 4-scale cellular-differentiation criteria and a 4-grade tumor-vascularity classification, percentage of CA4P-induced necrosis negatively correlated with HCC differentiation (r = -0.404, p < 0.001) and tumor vascularity (r = -0.370, p < 0.001). Ordinal-logistic-regression helped to predict early tumor responses to CA4P in terms of tumoral differentiation and vascularity. Our study demonstrated that CA4P could induce vascular shutdown in primary HCCs within 1 hr, resulting in various degrees of tumor necrosis at 12 hr. MRI as a real-time imaging biomarker may help to define tumor vascularity and differentiation and further to predict CA4P therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yewei Liu
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) & Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
| | | | - Yixin Wang
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fengna Wang
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yuanbo Feng
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Feng Chen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jie Yu
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaoli Song
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Johan Swinnen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Bormans
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raymond Oyen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gang Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) & Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
| | - Yicheng Ni
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Liu Y, Yin T, Keyzer FD, Feng Y, Chen F, Liu J, Song S, Yu J, Vandecaveye V, Swinnen J, Bormans G, Himmelreich U, Oyen R, Zhang J, Huang G, Ni Y. Micro-HCCs in rats with liver cirrhosis: paradoxical targeting effects with vascular disrupting agent CA4P. Oncotarget 2017; 8:55204-55215. [PMID: 28903414 PMCID: PMC5589653 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We sought to investigate anticancer efficacy of a vascular disrupting agent (VDA) combretastatin A-4 phosphate (CA4P) in relation to tumor size among hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in rats using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and postmortem techniques. Nineteen rats with 43 chemically-induced HCCs of 2.8–20.9 mm in size on liver cirrhosis received CA4P intravenously at 10 mg/kg. Tumor-diameter was measured by T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) to define microcancers (< 5 mm) versus larger HCCs. Vascular responses and tissue necrosis were detected by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CE-T1WI) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE-) MRI, which were validated by microangiography and histopathology. MRI revealed nearly complete necrosis in 5 out of 7 micro-HCCs, but diverse therapeutic necrosis in larger HCCs with a positive correlation with tumor size. Necrosis in micro-HCCs was 36.9% more than that in larger HCCs. While increased diffusion coefficient (ADCdiff) suggested tumor necrosis, perfusion coefficient (ADCperf) indicated sharply decreased blood perfusion in cirrhotic liver together with a reduction in micro-HCCs. DCE revealed lowered tumor blood flow from intravascular into extravascular extracellular space (EES). Microangiography and histopathology revealed hypo- and hypervascularity in 4 and 3 micro-HCCs, massive, partial and minor degrees of tumoral necrosis in 5, 1 and 1 micro-HCCs respectively, and patchy necrotic foci in cirrhotic liver. CD34-PAS staining implicated that poorly vascularized micro-HCCs growing on liver cirrhosis tended to respond better to CA4P treatment. In this study, more complete CA4P-response occurred unexpectedly in micro-HCCs in rats, along with CA4P-induced necrotic foci in cirrhotic liver. These may help to plan clinical applications of VDAs in patients with HCCs and liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yewei Liu
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.,Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China.,Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China.,Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ting Yin
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | | | - Yuanbo Feng
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Feng Chen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Shaoli Song
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | | | - Johan Swinnen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Guy Bormans
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Raymond Oyen
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jian Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Gang Huang
- Institute of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China.,Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China.,Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) and Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yicheng Ni
- Biomedical Group, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.,Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
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Yang W, Yan K, Wang S, Dai Y, Wu W, Yin SS, Chen MH. Differential Diagnosis of Arterial Phase Enhanced Hepatic Inflammatory Lesions and Hepatocellular Carcinomas with Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2016; 42:82-91. [PMID: 26456578 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the enhancement patterns of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with SonoVue and determine the utility of this method for differential diagnosis between hepatic inflammatory lesions with arterial phase enhancement and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Twenty-three patients with arterial-enhanced inflammatory liver lesions and 46 HCC patients were included. These lesions had been subjected to CEUS examination and confirmed by pathologic results or imaging follow-up for at least 1 y. In the arterial phase of CEUS, 65.2% of the inflammatory lesions showed patchy (slight enhancement with poorly defined margins) or centripetal enhancement, whereas 89.1% of the HCC lesions showed homogeneous or heterogeneous enhancement (p < 0.001). Moreover, 82.6% of the inflammatory lesions had poorly defined margins, and 78.3% were irregular in shape at the peak, whereas 87.0% of the HCC lesions had well-defined margins and 76.1% were regular (both p < 0.001). Feeding vessels were more frequently visualized in HCCs (71.7%) than in inflammatory lesions (26.1%, p < 0.001). Additionally, 88.2% of the internal non-perfused areas in inflammatory lesions were regular in shape, while 68.0% of these areas in HCCs had an irregular shape (p < 0.001). CEUS pattern analysis provides important information for differentiating inflammatory liver lesions and HCCs and is helpful for improving diagnostic accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Yan
- Department of Ultrasound, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Song Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Dai
- Department of Ultrasound, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Ultrasound, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shan-Shan Yin
- Department of Ultrasound, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Min-Hua Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.
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Liu Y, Yin T, Feng Y, Cona MM, Huang G, Liu J, Song S, Jiang Y, Xia Q, Swinnen JV, Bormans G, Himmelreich U, Oyen R, Ni Y. Mammalian models of chemically induced primary malignancies exploitable for imaging-based preclinical theragnostic research. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2015; 5:708-29. [PMID: 26682141 PMCID: PMC4671963 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2223-4292.2015.06.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Compared with transplanted tumor models or genetically engineered cancer models, chemically induced primary malignancies in experimental animals can mimic the clinical cancer progress from the early stage on. Cancer caused by chemical carcinogens generally develops through three phases namely initiation, promotion and progression. Based on different mechanisms, chemical carcinogens can be divided into genotoxic and non-genotoxic ones, or complete and incomplete ones, usually with an organ-specific property. Chemical carcinogens can be classified upon their origins such as environmental pollutants, cooked meat derived carcinogens, N-nitroso compounds, food additives, antineoplastic agents, naturally occurring substances and synthetic carcinogens, etc. Carcinogen-induced models of primary cancers can be used to evaluate the diagnostic/therapeutic effects of candidate drugs, investigate the biological influential factors, explore preventive measures for carcinogenicity, and better understand molecular mechanisms involved in tumor initiation, promotion and progression. Among commonly adopted cancer models, chemically induced primary malignancies in mammals have several advantages including the easy procedures, fruitful tumor generation and high analogy to clinical human primary cancers. However, in addition to the time-consuming process, the major drawback of chemical carcinogenesis for translational research is the difficulty in noninvasive tumor burden assessment in small animals. Like human cancers, tumors occur unpredictably also among animals in terms of timing, location and the number of lesions. Thanks to the availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with various advantages such as ionizing-free scanning, superb soft tissue contrast, multi-parametric information, and utility of diverse contrast agents, now a workable solution to this bottleneck problem is to apply MRI for noninvasive detection, diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring on those otherwise uncontrollable animal models with primary cancers. Moreover, it is foreseeable that the combined use of chemically induced primary cancer models and molecular imaging techniques may help to develop new anticancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Diverse responses to vascular disrupting agent combretastatin a4 phosphate: a comparative study in rats with hepatic and subcutaneous tumor allografts using MRI biomarkers, microangiography, and histopathology. Transl Oncol 2013; 6:42-50. [PMID: 23418616 DOI: 10.1593/tlo.12367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2012] [Revised: 12/25/2012] [Accepted: 12/31/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Differently located tumors of the same origin may exhibit diverse responses to the same therapeutics. To test this hypothesis, we compared the responses of rodent hepatic and subcutaneous engrafts of rhabdomyosarcoma-1 (R1) to a vascular disrupting agent Combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P). METHODS Twelve WAG/Rij rats, each bearing three R1 implanted in the right and left hepatic lobes and subcutaneously in the thoracic region, received CA4P intravenously at 5 mg/kg (n = 6) or solvent (n = 6). Therapeutic responses were compared interindividually and intraindividually among tumors of different sites till 48 hours after injection using in vivo MRI, postmortem digital microangiography, and histopathology. RESULTS MRI revealed that the subcutaneous tumors (STs) significantly increased in volume than hepatic tumors (HTs) 48 hours after CA4P (P < .05). Relative to vehicle controls and treated group at baseline, necrosis ratio, apparent diffusion coefficient, and enhancement ratio changed slightly with the STs but significantly with HTs (P < .05) after CA4P treatment. Vessel density derived from microangiography was significantly lower in STs compared to HTs without CA4P treatment. CA4P treatment resulted in decreased vessel density in HTs, while it did not affect vessel density in STs. MRI and microangiography outcomes were supported by histopathologic findings. CONCLUSIONS MRI and microangiography allowed quantitative comparison of therapeutic responses to CA4P in rats with multifocal tumors. The discovered diverse effects of the same drug on tumors of the same origin but different locations emphasize the presence of cancer heterogeneity and the importance of individualization of drug delivery.
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Li J, Oyen R, Verbruggen A, Ni Y. Small Molecule Sequential Dual-Targeting Theragnostic Strategy (SMSDTTS): from Preclinical Experiments towards Possible Clinical Anticancer Applications. J Cancer 2013; 4:133-45. [PMID: 23412554 PMCID: PMC3572405 DOI: 10.7150/jca.5635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hitting the evasive tumor cells proves challenging in targeted cancer therapies. A general and unconventional anticancer approach namely small molecule sequential dual-targeting theragnostic strategy (SMSDTTS) has recently been introduced with the aims to target and debulk the tumor mass, wipe out the residual tumor cells, and meanwhile enable cancer detectability. This dual targeting approach works in two steps for systemic delivery of two naturally derived drugs. First, an anti-tubulin vascular disrupting agent, e.g., combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P), is injected to selectively cut off tumor blood supply and to cause massive necrosis, which nevertheless always leaves peripheral tumor residues. Secondly, a necrosis-avid radiopharmaceutical, namely 131I-hypericin (131I-Hyp), is administered the next day, which accumulates in intratumoral necrosis and irradiates the residual cancer cells with beta particles. Theoretically, this complementary targeted approach may biologically and radioactively ablate solid tumors and reduce the risk of local recurrence, remote metastases, and thus cancer mortality. Meanwhile, the emitted gamma rays facilitate radio-scintigraphy to detect tumors and follow up the therapy, hence a simultaneous theragnostic approach. SMSDTTS has now shown promise from multicenter animal experiments and may demonstrate unique anticancer efficacy in upcoming preliminary clinical trials. In this short review article, information about the two involved agents, the rationale of SMSDTTS, its preclinical antitumor efficacy, multifocal targetability, simultaneous theragnostic property, and toxicities of the dose regimens are summarized. Meanwhile, possible drawbacks, practical challenges and future improvement with SMSDTTS are discussed, which hopefully may help to push forward this strategy from preclinical experiments towards possible clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Li
- 1. Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical Sciences Group; KU Leuven, Belgium. ; 2. Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, Faculty of Medicine; KU Leuven, Belgium
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Cona MM, Wang H, Li J, Feng Y, Chen F, de Witte P, Verbruggen A, Ni Y. Continuing pursuit for ideal systemic anticancer radiotherapeutics. Invest New Drugs 2011; 30:2050-65. [PMID: 22006160 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-011-9758-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2011] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the major causes of death for non-transmissible chronic diseases worldwide. Conventional treatments including surgery, chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy are generally far from curative. Complementary therapies are attempted for achieving more successful treatment response. Systemic targeted radiotherapy (STR) is a radiotherapeutic modality based on systemic administration of radioactive agents for selectively delivering high doses of energy to destroy cancer cells. For this purpose, diverse tumour-target specific agents including monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), MoAb fragments and peptides have been tested and some of them have already got FDA approval for clinical use. However, MoAbs and their tailored analogues have shown non-homogeneous tumour distribution, limited diffusion, insufficient intratumoral accumulation and retention, unwanted uptake in normal tissues and scarcity of identified cancer antigens for generating new MoAbs. Similarly, peptides have also exhibited retention in normal organs, lacks of favourable membrane permeability or drug cell internalization and short-term residence in cancer cells. Recently, a new category of target-specific agent with strong affinity for necrosis has emerged as an excellent option for developing targeted radiotherapeutic agents to be used after necrosis-inducing treatments (NITs). The combination of their high, specific and long-term accumulation and retention at necrotic sites with the crossfire effect of ionizing particle-emitters allows irradiating adjacent residual viable tumour cells during a prolonged period of time. It may considerably enhance the therapeutic response and open a new horizon for improved cancer treatability or curability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlein Miranda Cona
- Radiology Section, Department of Medical Diagnostic Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Group, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Lee S, Kim SH, Park CK, Kim YS, Lee WJ, Lim HK. Comparison between areas with Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake and without in hepatocellular carcinomas on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced hepatobiliary-phase MR imaging: Pathological correlation. J Magn Reson Imaging 2010; 32:719-25. [DOI: 10.1002/jmri.22291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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Ni Y, Wang H, Chen F, Li J, DeKeyzer F, Feng Y, Yu J, Bosmans H, Marchal G. Tumor models and specific contrast agents for small animal imaging in oncology. Methods 2009; 48:125-38. [PMID: 19328231 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2009.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2009] [Accepted: 03/11/2009] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the widespread use of various imaging modalities in clinical and experimental oncology without or with combined application of commercially available nonspecific contrast agents (CAs), development of tissue- or organ- or disease-specific CAs has been a continuing effort for pursuing ever-improved sensitivity, specificity, and applicability. This is particularly true with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to its intrinsic superb spatial/temporal/contrast resolutions and adequate detectability for tiny amount of substances. In this context, research using small animal tumor models has played an indispensible role in preclinical exploration of tissue specific CAs. Emphasizing more on methodological and practical aspects, this article aims to share our cumulated experiences on how to create tumor models for evaluation and development of new tissue specific MRI CAs and how to apply such models in imaging-based research studies. With the results that are repeatedly confirmed by later clinical applications in cancer patients, some of our early preclinical studies have contributed to the designs of subsequent clinical trials on the new CAs, some studies have predicted new utilities of these CAs; and other studies have led to the discoveries of new tissue- or disease-specific CAs with novel diagnostic or even therapeutic potentials. Among commonly adopted tumor models, the chemically induced and surgically implanted nodules in the liver prove very useful to simulate primary and metastatic intrahepatic tumors, respectively in clinical patients. The methods to create tumor models have eased procedures and yielded high success rates. The specific properties of the new CAs could be outshined by intraindividual comparison to the commercial CAs as nonspecific controls. Meticulous imaging-microangiography-histology matching techniques guaranteed colocalization of the lesion on in vivo MRI and postmortem tissue specimen, hence correct imaging interpretation and longstanding conclusions. As exemplified in the real study cases, the present experimental set-up proves applicable in small animals for imaging-based oncological investigations, and may provide a platform for the currently booming molecular imaging in a multimodality environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicheng Ni
- Section of Radiology, Department of Medical Diagnostic Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Group, University of Leuven, Belgium.
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Chen F, Sun X, De Keyzer F, Yu J, Peeters R, Coudyzer W, Vandecaveye V, Landuyt W, Bosmans H, Van Hecke P, Marchal G, Ni Y. Liver tumor model with implanted rhabdomyosarcoma in rats: MR imaging, microangiography, and histopathologic analysis. Radiology 2006; 239:554-62. [PMID: 16543589 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2392050277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In compliance with institutional regulations for care and use of laboratory animals, the aim of this study was to establish and characterize a rodent liver tumor model to provide a platform for preclinical assessment of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. A rhabdomyosarcoma tumor was implanted in the right and left liver lobes of 20 rats, for a total of 40 tumors. T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images, diffusion-weighted images, and dynamic susceptibility contrast agent-enhanced perfusion-weighted images were obtained up to 16 days after tumor implantation and were compared with postmortem three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) images, digital microangiograms, and histopathologic findings. Fifteen tumors were examined with proton ((1)H) MR spectroscopy. All tumors grew, with a mean volume doubling time of 2.2 days +/- 0.9 (standard deviation) and a final size of 591 mm(3)+/- 124. The rhabdomyosarcoma tumor showed hypervascularity at MR imaging, three-dimensional CT, microangiography, and histologic analysis. On dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion-weighted images, the maximum signal intensity decrease differed in time and extent between the tumor and the liver, with a significantly (P < .001) higher relative blood volume, relative blood flow, and permeability value in the tumor than in the liver. With (1)H MR spectroscopy, the rhabdomyosarcoma tumor and the liver featured significant (P < .001) choline and lipid peaks, respectively. Implantation of a rhabdomyosarcoma tumor in the livers of rats is feasible and reproducible, and this animal model seems promising for future testing of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Chen
- Department of Radiology and Laboratory of Experimental Radiobiology and Oncology, University Hospitals, Catholic University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Abstract
Two categories of necrosis-avid contrast agents (NACAs), namely porphyrin- and nonporphyrin-based complexes, have thus far been discovered as necrosis-targeting markers for noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identification of acute myocardial infarction, assessment of tissue or organ viability, and therapeutic evaluation after interventional therapies. In addition to necrosis labeling, other less-specific functions, such as first-pass perfusion, blood pool contrast effect, hepatobiliary contrast enhancement (CE), adrenal and spleen CE, and renal functional imaging, also are demonstrated with NACAs. Despite various investigations with a collection of clues in favor of certain hypotheses, the mechanisms of such a unique targetability for NACAs still remain to be elucidated. However, a few things have become clear that porphyrin-like structures are not necessary for necrosis avidity and the albumin binding is not the supposed driving force but only a parallel nonspecific feature shared by both NACAs and non-NACA substances. Although the research and development of NACAs still remain in preclinical stage at a relatively small scale, their significance rests upon striking enhancement effects, which may warrant their eventual versatile clinical applications. The present review article is intended to summarize the cumulated facts about the evolving research on this topic, to demonstrate experimental observations for better understanding of the mechanisms, to trigger broader public interests and more intensive research activities, and to advocate, toward both academics and industries, further promotion of preclinical and clinical development of this unique and promising class of contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicheng Ni
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Zarur JM, Barreto MSF, Diogenes CA, Nascimento GLD, Moraes MO. Quimioembolização transarterial hepática: modelo experimental de tumor em ratos. Acta Cir Bras 2004. [DOI: 10.1590/s0102-86502004000500009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJETIVO: Estabelecer um modelo de tumor no fígado de ratos para estudo do comportamento tumoral e avaliar o uso da quimiembolização transarterial. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se oitenta e oito ratos Wistar, fêmeas, adultos, pesando entre 175- 284 g . Realizado incisão abdominal de 3 cm e implantou-se o carcinossarcoma de Walker 256 no lóbulo esquerdo do fígado. Dividiu-se em três grupos que receberam respectivamente 100x 10³ , 200x 10³ e 300x 10³ células tumorais, avaliado a pega do tumor e a sobrevida. Em outro grupo de experimento com 39 animais inoculados com tumor de Walker foi avaliado a sobrevida dos animais após infusão do 5-Flourouracil (5-FU) por via intra-peritoneal e intra-arterial. RESULTADOS: O implante do carcinossarcoma de Walker no fígado de ratos apresentou desenvolvimento de 100 %, teve um crescimento rápido e desenvolvimento de metástases tardiamente, levando os animais ao óbito entre o sétimo e décimo quinto dia. A quimiembolização transarterial é possível de ser realizada experimentalmente. O uso do 5-FU aumentou a sobrevida em comparação ao grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: O modelo de implante do tumor de Walker no fígado de ratos é eficiente, de fácil reprodutibilidade, e sobrevida média de 9,96±0.3 dias. A quimioterapia transarterial hepática pode ser realizada experimentalmente para avaliar diversas drogas.
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Ni Y, Adzamli K, Miao Y, Cresens E, Yu J, Periasamy MP, Adams MD, Marchal G. MRI contrast enhancement of necrosis by MP-2269 and gadophrin-2 in a rat model of liver infarction. Invest Radiol 2001; 36:97-103. [PMID: 11224757 DOI: 10.1097/00004424-200102000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The mechanisms of action leading to specific localization of necrosis-avid contrast agents (NACAs) such as gadophrin-2 are not well defined. It has been suggested recently that agents with a high degree of serum albumin binding may also serve as NACAs by virtue of nonspecific hydrophobic interactions. The present MRI-histomorphology correlation study was conducted to verify the likelihood of the proposed albumin-binding mechanism by comparing an albumin-binding blood pool agent, MP-2269, with gadophrin-2 in a rat model of reperfused liver infarction. METHODS Reperfused infarction in the right liver lobe was surgically induced in six rats. Serial T1-weighted MRI was performed before and after intravenous injection of MP-2269 at 0.05 mmol/kg and repeated in the same rats 24 hours later after intravenous injection of gadophrin-2 at the same dosage (0.05 mmol/kg). The MR images were matched with corresponding histomorphological findings. The signal intensity and contrast ratio of infarcted and normal hepatic lobes were quantified and compared between the two agents during the postcontrast course. RESULTS Before contrast, the infarcted lobe was indiscernible from normal liver on T1-weighted MRI. Shortly after injection of both MP-2269 and gadophrin-2, a negative contrast occurred between infarcted and normal liver because of a strong liver signal intensity enhancement and an inferior uptake in the necrotic liver. On delayed phase (>60 minutes), a necrosis-specific contrast enhancement (contrast ratio 1.6) developed with gadophrin-2 but not with MP-2269. The MR images matched well with corresponding histomorphological findings. CONCLUSIONS Although both MP-2269 and gadophrin-2 feature an albumin-binding capacity, only gadophrin-2 displayed a persistent necrosis-specific contrast enhancement in the rat model of reperfused liver infarction. Therefore, the role of albumin binding in the mechanisms of NACAs should be reevaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ni
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
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Qian J, Feng G, Trübenbach J, Huppert PE, Pereira PL, Claussen CD. [Establishment of hepatocellular carcinoma model by allogenic transplantation ]. Curr Med Sci 2001; 21:222-4. [PMID: 12539582 DOI: 10.1007/bf02886435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2001] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Qian
- Abteilung für Radiologie, Xiehe Klinik, Tongji Medizinisches Institut, Huazhong Universität für Wissenschaft und Technik, 430022 Wuhan
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Trübenbach J, Graepler F, Pereira PL, Ruck P, Lauer U, Gregor M, Claussen CD, Huppert PE. Growth characteristics and imaging properties of the morris hepatoma 3924A in ACI rats: a suitable model for transarterial chemoembolization. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2000; 23:211-7. [PMID: 10821896 DOI: 10.1007/s002700010045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE For experimental studies investigating modalities and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) an animal model resembling the human situation as closely as possible would be appropriate. Specifically, reproducible tumor growth characteristics with the capability for appropriate in vivo imaging to monitor treatment efficacy are required. METHODS Morris hepatoma 3924A was implanted into the liver of 30 ACI rats. Tumor growth was followed by angiography (n = 10), ultrasound (US, n = 30), native computed tomography (CT, n = 16), and native magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, n = 30) between day 8 and day 36 after implantation. The radiological morphological characteristics were compared with the macroscopic and microscopic histological findings of the explanted tumors. RESULTS In all 30 animals a solitary liver tumor was found and macroscopically no signs of metastases, ascites, or peritoneal tumor were visible. On histopathological examination tumor sizes ranged between 27 +/- 3 mm(3) (day 8) and 3468 +/- 79 mm(3) (day 36). The first signs of tumor necrosis occurred at day 16. US allowed tumor visualization from day 8, MRI from day 8, angiography from day 10, and CT from day 14. CONCLUSIONS The tumor model has the potential to be used for the visualization of tumor growth by MRI and US. The potential for monitoring therapeutic effects of TACE needs to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Trübenbach
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Eberhard-Karls-University, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Burns SP, Regan G, Murphy HC, Kinchesh P. Fetal programming of hepatic lobular architecture in the rat demonstrated ex vivo with magnetic resonance imaging. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2000; 13:82-91. [PMID: 10797636 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1492(200004)13:2<82::aid-nbm613>3.0.co;2-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate that MRI imaging at sub-millimetre resolution can distinguish between periportal and perivenous zones of the rat liver lobule. This made it possible to measure the hepatic lobular radius in ex-vivo perfused fixed livers using MRI. Comparisons of histomorphometric and MRI measurements of lobular radius were in good agreement, although MRI measurements were significantly smaller (P< 0.001). Male rats whose mothers were fed 40% of the protein of controls during gestation and lactation, had a significantly larger hepatic lobular radius than that of controls [449+/-11 microm vs. 373+/-9 microm (mean +/- SEM), respectively, p<0.001, n = 12; histomorphometry data]. The proton T(2) in periportal and perivenous zones was mapped both before and after antegrade or retrograde perfusion of 10 ml of digitonin (4 mg ml(-1)). Only the T(2) of the hypointense regions increased significantly following antegrade perfusion of digitonin and conversely only that of the intense regions following retrograde perfusion. Digitonin causes permeabilization of cells in specific hepatic zones, determined by the direction of perfusion. The intense and hypointense regions of the hepatic MR images thus arise from the perivenous and periportal zones of the hepatic lobule, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Burns
- The Medical Unit, Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Research Group, St Bartholomew's and the Royal London Hospital School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary and Westfield College, London, UK.
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Delnomdedieu M, Hedlund LW, Maronpot RR, Johnson GA. Magnetic resonance microscopy and histopathology: comparative approach of bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat. Hepatology 1998; 27:526-32. [PMID: 9462653 DOI: 10.1002/hep.510270229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy has provided new approaches to histology and histopathology. Recent work has shown the promise of increased sensitivity in animal models of chemically induced hepatotoxicity. However, the field is so new that there is little experience to relate changes seen in MR micrographs to the more traditional optical images stained with hematoxylin and eosin. This work compares the sensitivity and reproducibility of MR microscopy with conventional histopathology in detecting bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat. A time-course study was undertaken to provide a range of histopathologies. Specimens were studied at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after exposure to 10% of the median lethal dose of bromobenzene. Using 4 animals per group (a total of 32 rats) added statistical significance to the study and defined a range of interanimal variability over 96 hours. This work shows that MR microscopy, besides being nondestructive and three-dimensional, is at least as sensitive as conventional hematoxylin-eosin staining in detecting bromobenzene-induced centrilobular lesions and recovery of the hepatocellular architecture in the rat. This study further suggests that, as we begin to understand the underlying mechanisms of contrast in MR histology, MR may, in fact, supply even higher specificity than more traditional studies: variations were observed in MR images of treated livers at a given time point that could be not be differentiated based on the grading of necrosis and inflammation on hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Delnomdedieu
- Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Ni Y, Marchal G, Yu J, Lukito G, Petré C, Wevers M, Baert AL, Ebert W, Hilger CS, Maier FK. Localization of metalloporphyrin-induced "specific" enhancement in experimental liver tumors: comparison of magnetic resonance imaging, microangiographic, and histologic findings. Acad Radiol 1995; 2:687-99. [PMID: 9419626 DOI: 10.1016/s1076-6332(05)80437-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES We investigated the tumor specificity of gadolinium mesoporphyrin (Gd-MP) and manganese tetraphenylporphyrin (Mn-TPP) as magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agents. METHODS Fifteen rats with multiple hepatocellular carcinomas and eight rats with implanted Novikoff hepatomas were given intravenous injections of either Gd-MP or Mn-TPP at 0.05 mmol/kg, which was compared with nonspecific gadopentetate dimeglumine (0.3 mmol/kg). T1-weighted spin-echo images were obtained before and up to 48 hr after injection and compared with corresponding microangiograms and histologic specimens. The relative enhancement of organs and tumors was plotted as a function of time. RESULTS Initially, both metalloporphyrins behaved as nonspecific agents, similar to gadopentetate dimeglumine, and enhanced the tumor by perfusion and diffusion. However, metalloporphyrins, but not gadopentetate dimeglumine, caused a delayed (> or = 3 hr) enhancement in some compartments of certain lesions. The MR imaging-microangiography-histology matching technique revealed that those compartments were actually nonviable components, including necrosis (n = 10), thrombosis (n = 7), and cystic secretion (n = 3), but not viable tumor tissue. CONCLUSION Metalloporphyrins did not prove to be tumor specific. However, the observed affinity for nonviable tissue has elicited other potential applications for these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ni
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
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Fouillet X, Tournier H, Khan H, Sabitha S, Burkhardt S, Terrier F, Schneider M. Enhancement of computed tomography liver contrast using iomeprol-containing liposomes and detection of small liver tumors in rats. Acad Radiol 1995; 2:576-83. [PMID: 9419607 DOI: 10.1016/s1076-6332(05)80118-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES We evaluated iomeprol-containing liposomes (Lipiom), a new contrast medium for computed tomography (CT) liver scanning, in an animal model of chemically induced hepatocellular carcinomas and other liver tumors in rats. METHODS Liver tumors were induced by administration of carcinogens to rats, either 0.55% (w/w) 1'-hydroxysafrole in the diet or induction by 3'-methyl-4-diethylaminoazobenzene followed by promotion with carbon tetrachloride. CT scanning was performed 1-3 hr after intravenous injection of iomeprol-containing liposomes. RESULTS After injection of iomeprol-containing liposomes at a dose of 70 mg of liposome-entrapped iodine per kilogram of body weight, the normal liver parenchyma showed a contrast enhancement, in Hounsfield units, of more than 60% over the control value before bolus. Liver tumors with no or few Kupffer cells were not enhanced and appeared as dark areas within the normal parenchyma. Tumors and pretumoral lesions devoid of Kupffer cells, as small as 3 mm in diameter, could be distinguished using this non-invasive method. CONCLUSION CT liver scanning after injection of iomeprol-containing liposomes appears to be promising method for detecting liver tumors and focal liver lesions.
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Nakakoshi T, Kajiyama M, Fujita N, Jong-Hon K, Takeichi N, Miyasaka K. Magnetic resonance imaging of Long-Evans cinnamon rats as a new model of hepatocellular carcinoma. Acad Radiol 1995; 2:50-2. [PMID: 9419524 DOI: 10.1016/s1076-6332(05)80246-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Following hereditary hepatitis, Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats spontaneously develop hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) histopathologically similar to human well-differentiated HCC. We demonstrated that LEC rats are an appropriate model of evaluating magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of well-differentiated liver tumors. METHODS Six 23-25-month-old LEC rats were studied using liver MR imaging and histologic observation. RESULTS Signal intensity of HCCs without cystic areas was normal or slightly high on T1-weighted images and slightly high on T2-weighted images. Histopathologically, most tumors resembled human highly or well-differentiated HCCs. CONCLUSION The LEC rat is a good model of investigating MR imaging of well-differentiated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Nakakoshi
- Department of Radiology, Bibai Rosai Hospital, Japan
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Ni Y, Lukito G, Marchal G, Cresens E, Yu J, Petré C, Baert AL, Fevery J. Potential role of bile duct collaterals in the recovery of the biliary obstruction: experimental study in rats using microcholangiography, histology, serology and magnetic resonance imaging. Hepatology 1994; 20:1557-66. [PMID: 7982656 DOI: 10.1002/hep.1840200627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Obstructive cholestasis induced in animals at the level of the lobar and common bile ducts is known to be reversible with time. This study was conducted not only to test the hypothesis that formation of bile duct collaterals is responsible for the recovery of biliary obstruction but also to assess the potential of hepatobiliary agent-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for visualizing cholestasis. A total of 52 rats were divided into three groups with selective biliary obstruction, total biliary obstruction and sham surgery. We studied the evolution of cholestasis by correlating microcholangiographic, histological findings with the results of liver tests and hepatobiliary agent-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Lobar cholestasis undetected by liver tests but seen on magnetic resonance imaging as a difference between ligated and unligated lobes, occurred in 15 out of 20 rats subjected to selective biliary obstruction within 48 hr after ligation, and recovered later on as a result of the development of bile duct collaterals. Five rats failed to show local cholestasis as a result of the existence of interlobar accessory bile channels. All 18 total biliary obstruction-treated rats were cholestatic soon after ligation, as confirmed by high serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels and as documented by poor liver enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging. Cholestasis recovered within 4 wk with normalization of liver enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging as a result of the formation of bile duct collaterals (as demonstrated by microcholangiographic and histological study). Bile duct collateral formation is responsible for the recovery from obstructive cholestasis in rats. A similar mechanism might be present in conditions of bile duct obstruction without cholestasis. Hepatobiliary agent-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive than blood tests in detecting local cholestasis and can be used to monitor noninvasively the evolution of biliary obstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ni
- Department of Radiology, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
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Stalker MJ, Towner RA, Kocal TE, Quinn BA, Cameron RG, Hayes MA. Influences of dietary deoxycholic acid on progression of hepatocellular neoplasms and expression of glutathione S-transferases in rats. Toxicol Pathol 1994; 22:579-88. [PMID: 7732275 DOI: 10.1177/019262339402200602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the influences of dietary deoxycholic acid (DCA) on the rate of progression of chemically induced hepatocellular neoplasms in rats. Male Fischer-344 rats with established persistent hepatocellular nodules generated by the Solt-Farber protocol were exposed to dietary DCA (0.3%) between 6 and 12 mo of age. Growth of nodules and carcinomas in vivo was measured by morphometric quantification of tumor images obtained every 6 wk. The final stages of neoplastic progression were determined by terminal histopathological examination and by expression and functional evaluation of glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzyme phenotypes. Dietary DCA increased the number of hepatocellular neoplasms per rat, accelerated the rate of growth of persistent nodules, and increased the histological progression of liver tumors. Expression of immunoreactive GST subunits Yf, Ya, and Yb1 was induced in early persistent nodules, a pattern that was maintained throughout the study in both basal diet and DCA-fed groups. However, 5% of early nodules and about 75% of advanced neoplasms were partially or completely deficient in GST Yb2 expression in both groups. DCA did not alter the cytosolic activity for the GST substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) or trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one (tPBO) in tumors or surrounding liver. However, in both groups, CDNB activity was increased in the tumors relative to the surrounding nonneoplastic tissue, whereas activity for tPBO, a substrate more specific for the Yb2 subunit, was reduced in the tumors. All advanced neoplasms were similarly more resistant than surrounding liver to DNA-binding metabolites of aflatoxin B1 or benzo[a]pyrene. These data demonstrate that DCA can increase the progression of established hepatocellular nodules to larger, more advanced neoplasms but does not preferentially select for a specific GST phenotype. Preferential loss of constitutively expressed GST Yb2 in both basal diet and DCA-fed groups may be an important aspect of progression from resistant nodules to advanced cancers in this model. These studies also demonstrate that serial MRI is a useful tool for measuring the rates of enlargement and patterns of growth in established hepatocellular neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Stalker
- Department of Pathology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada
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Mellin AF, Cofer GP, Smith BR, Suddarth SA, Hedlund LW, Johnson GA. Three dimensional magnetic resonance microangiography of rat neurovasculature. Magn Reson Med 1994; 32:199-205. [PMID: 7968442 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.1910320208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Techniques are described to perform three dimensional (3D) MR microangiography. We have combined the use of a blood pool agent (Gd-DTPA-complexed with bovine serum albumin), three dimensional Fourier encoding, careful animal stabilization, and volume rendering to permit imaging with voxels of 60 x 60 x 60 microns. 3DFT encoding has been performed at 7.1 T with very large arrays (256 x 512 x 512). Interactive volume rendering allows a number of unique display opportunities that effectively exploit these isotropic 3D arrays.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Mellin
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710
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Ni Y, Marchal G, Yu J, Mühler A, Lukito G, Baert AL. Prolonged positive contrast enhancement with Gd-EOB-DTPA in experimental liver tumors: potential value in tissue characterization. J Magn Reson Imaging 1994; 4:355-63. [PMID: 8061434 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.1880040322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the potential of the hepatobiliary magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agent gadolinium EOB-DTPA (ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) for the characterization of hepatic tumors, 79 primary and six implanted hepatomas in 38 rats were studied. MR imaging findings after administration of Gd-DTPA (0.3 mmol/kg) and Gd-EOB-DTPA (30 mumol/kg) were correlated with microangiographic and histologic findings. Gd-EOB-DTPA produced a strong liver enhancement, which caused prompt negative contrast enhancement (CE) in all implanted hepatomas and in 77 of 79 primary hepatomas. A positive CE that lasted up to 2 hours was found in two of 79 primary hepatomas, both of which were highly differentiated (grade I) hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). The rest were moderately differentiated to undifferentiated HCCs (grades II-IV). Rim enhancement, which corresponded histologically to peritumoral malignant infiltration sequestering normal hepatocytes, was seen around all implanted and some primary hepatomas. Positive tumor CE after administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA in this study is much less frequent but much more specific in comparison with the results of previous studies with manganese-DPDP (N,N'-dipyridoxylethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetate 5,5'-bis[phosphate]). These findings may help further discriminate hepatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ni
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals K.U. Leuven, Belgium
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Marchal G, Zhang X, Ni Y, Van Hecke P, Yu J, Baert AL. Comparison between Gd-DTPA, Gd-EOB-DTPA, and Mn-DPDP in induced HCC in rats: a correlation study of MR imaging, microangiography, and histology. Magn Reson Imaging 1993; 11:665-74. [PMID: 8345781 DOI: 10.1016/0730-725x(93)90008-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The behaviour of two liver-specific contrast MR agents, Gd-EOB-DTPA and Mn-DPDP and one nonspecific contrast agent, Gd-DTPA, was compared in a rat model of chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study included contrast enhanced MR imaging and the corresponding microangiography and histology. Analysis of the MR images showed similar degrees of maximum relative liver enhancement: 47.5 +/- 8.2% for Gd-EOB-DTPA (0.03 mmol/kg) at 5 min postinjection and 52.5 +/- 14.4% for Mn-DPDP (0.025 mmol/kg) at 15 min; both exceeded the value obtained with Gd-DTPA (34.8 +/- 13.6%, at 5 min), even at 0.3 mmol/kg. Gd-EOB-DTPA caused a similar "negative" enhancement of all types of HCC, independent of their differentiation and vascularization, i.e., lesion-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of differentiated and undifferentiated HCC increased negatively from, respectively, 1.9 +/- 1.1 and -5.1 +/- 3.1 before contrast to -5.2 +/- 2.4 and -11.8 +/- 4.8 at 5 min after contrast. On Mn-DPDP enhanced images, the undifferentiated HCCs showed up negatively (CNR -5.5 +/- 4.7 before contrast to -13.7 +/- 10 at 15 min after contrast), whereas the more differentiated tumors showed up positively (CNR from 2.3 +/- 2.0 before contrast to 12.5 +/- 3.5 at 24 hr postcontrast) due to active uptake and delayed elimination of Mn-DPDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Marchal
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals K.U. Leuven, Belgium
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