This recent article by Freeling et al. highlights the benefits of using Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Ultrasound with 3D Non-linear contrast (NLC) to assess colorectal cancer in a murine model.
Article Summary:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a high recurrence rate and a 5 year survival of only 6-12%
- In vivo animal models of CRC are ideal but are difficult to study longitudinally
- Used Vevo ultrasound with 3D and non-linear contrast to perform 3D reconstruction of the mouse colon
- Studied vascularity in normal and CRC mice in response to treatment with a vehicle or anti-cancer compound, longitudinally
- To ameliorate imaging, gel was injected into the colon and atropine was administered to halt gut peristalsis
- Able to determine volume of individual tumors as well as total tumor load
- Able to determine vascular perfusion and total vascularity and relate this to tumor load
- Results were correlated with histology at necropsy and found to be more precise than optical colonoscopy
Conclusion:
3D reconstruction of the mouse colon using ultra-high frequency ultrasound with non-linear contrast is a robust technique for studying murine models of CRC longitudinally. Use of targeted microbubbles should be considered in the future, allowing for more detailed preclinical studies.
Reference:
Freeling JL, Rezvani K. Assessment of murine colorectal cancer by micro-ultrasound using three dimensional reconstruction and non-linear contrast imaging. Mol Ther — Methods Clin Dev [Internet]. 2016 Nov 30;5(July):16070. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5147881/