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Title: Vessel Size Index Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Monitor the Effect of Antivascular Treatment in a Rodent Tumor Model

Journal Article · · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics
 [1]; ;  [2];  [1]
  1. Cancer Research UK Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey (United Kingdom)
  2. Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge (United Kingdom)

Purpose: Vascular disrupting agents are anticancer agents that typically produce a cytostatic tumor response. Vessel size index magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows for the estimation of the fractional blood volume (fBV) and blood vessel size (Rv). We assessed whether the vessel size index parameters provided imaging biomarkers for detecting early tumor response to a vascular disrupting agent. Methods and Materials: GH3 prolactinomas were grown subcutaneously in 12 rats. Vessel size index MRI was performed with Sinerem, an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide intravascular contrast agent, to determine the tumor fBV and Rv. MRI was performed before and at 24 h after treatment with either the vascular disrupting agent, 5,6-dimethylxanthenone 4-acetic acid (DMXAA) (n = 6) or with the drug vehicle (n = 6). After treatment, the tumors were analyzed histologically and correlates with the MRI findings sought. Results: Histogram analysis showed non-normal distributions of Rv and fBV. The 25th percentiles of the fBV and Rv were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) after treatment with DMXAA, with an increase in the regions of low-measured fBV. For the treated and control tumors, the fraction of tumor with an fBV of {<=}1% correlated with the histologically determined percentage of necrosis (r = 0.77, p < 0.005). The fraction of tumor with an fBV of {<=}1% in treated tumors was significantly increased compared with before treatment (p < 0.05) and with that in the controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The vessel size index results were consistent with the known action of DMXAA to cause vascular collapse, with histogram analysis of the fBV providing the most sensitive indicator of response. In particular, the parameter, the fraction of tumor with an fBV of {<=}1% is a potential biomarker that correlates with the histopathologic measure of tumor necrosis.

OSTI ID:
21124404
Journal Information:
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 71, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.04.027; PII: S0360-3016(08)00755-4; Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English