Screening Lung Tumours and Their Angiogenesis in Mice: Comparing Novel Computed Tomography Systems

• 作 者: Rajkumar Savai
• 机 构: Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research Molecular Mechanisms in Lung Cancer Germany
• 出 处: BITs 3rd Annual World Cancer Congress-2012(2012第五届世界癌症大会)
• 发表日期: 2012年8期

　　Late diagnosis and inadequate knowledge about tumor progression and its associated molecular alterations pose significant problems in the treatment of lung cancer patients.To this end, appropriate animal models that mimic human disease paradigm in terms of genetic alterations and histological characteristics should be developed.Another significant problem in the treatment of lung cancer patients is late diagnosis.Nevertheless, a group of new techniques known collectively as "molecular imaging" now offers scientists an unprecedented opportunity to significantly improve the detection of localized lung cancer, better understand tumor biology, improve diagnosis, enhance treatment, and consequently reduce mortality.These approaches have the potential to identify small and early lesions that have not been readily detectable in clinical practice through more conventional methods.However, the resolution of conventional CT-systems is not sufficient for scanning and quantitative monitoring of lung disease in small animal models.Furthermore, the CT technique suffers from poor soft tissue resolution, though visualization of the lung tissue means imaging in high contrast.The recent development of high resolution CT imaging such as of micro computed tomography (micro-CT) has not solved the problem of poor contrast;however, the higher resolution makes the technique suitable for small animal imaging.Micro-CT systems provide resolution down to 10μm, but there is a trade-off between resolution, field of view, and radiation dose.The successful development of tumor models with human cell lines and the availability of novel therapeutic approaches like anti-angiogenic or genetic therapies increase the need for advancement in high resolution in vivo imaging in small animal models for tumor screening and volumetry.Beyond morphology at a definite time-point, follow-up studies play a critical role in cancer research.Therefore, imaging systems offering a high resolution in time and space have to be provided.