Contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging can predict vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy induced tumor necrosis in small animals

Publication date: Available online 5 September 2017
Source:Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Author(s): F.H. Cornelis, K. Kim, J.C. Durack, S. Jebiwott, A. Scherz, G. Srimathveeravalli, J.A. Coleman
AimsTo evaluate the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for monitoring tumor necrosis following WST-11 vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) using imaging-pathology correlation.MethodsRenal adenocarcinoma cells were injected into the hindlimb of 13 BalB/c mice resulting in tumors ranging from 9.8 to 194.3mm³. US guidance was used to place a laser fiber into the tumor, and VTP was performed. CEUS was performed prior to animal sacrifice, 24hours post-VTP. Whole tumors were extracted for histopathologic analysis using H&E and TUNEL staining. Pathology samples corresponding to the CEUS imaging plane were prepared in order to compare the size and extents of tumor necrosis.ResultsTumor necrosis following VTP appeared as a central region of non-enhancement on CEUS, while viable tumor appeared as patchy regions of enhancement in the tumor periphery. The region of tumor necrosis measured in mean 66% and 64.8% of total tumor area on CEUS and pathology respectively (p=0.2). The size and location of the necrosis on CEUS images and pathology samples were found correlative with no inter-observer difference (weighted kappa of 0.771 and 0.823, respectively).ConclusionCEUS allows accurate monitoring of VTP induced tumor necrosis in a small animal model.



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