The breast CEUS models can predict risk of malignant breast lesions more accurately, decrease false-positive biopsy, and provide accurate BI-RADS classification.
Purpose
To evaluate the feasibility of delivering experimental radiotherapy to tumors in the mouse pancreas. Imaging and treatment were performed using combined CT (computed tomography)/orthovoltage treatment with a rotating gantry.
Methods and Materials
After intraperitoneal administration of radiopaque iodinated contrast, abdominal organ delineation was performed by X-ray CT. With this technique we delineated the pancreas, and both orthotopic xenografts and genetically engineered disease. CT imaging was validated by comparison with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Therapeutic radiation was delivered via a 1 cm diameter field. Selective X-ray radiation therapy (XRT) of the non-invasively defined orthotopic mass was confirmed using γH2AX staining. Mice could tolerate a dose of 15 Gy when the field was centered on the pancreas tail, and treatment was delivered as a continuous 360-degree arc. This strategy was then used for radiation therapy planning for selective delivery of therapeutic XRT to orthotopic tumors.
Results
Tumor growth delay after 15 Gy was monitored, using CT and ultrasound to determine the tumor volume at various times post-treatment. Our strategy enables the use of clinical radiation oncology approaches to treat experimental tumors in the pancreas of small animals for the first time. We demonstrate that delivery of 15 Gy from a rotating gantry minimizes background healthy tissue damage and significantly retards tumor growth.
Conclusions
This advance permits evaluation of radiation planning and dosing parameters. Accurate non-invasive longitudinal imaging and monitoring of tumor progression and therapeutic response in pre-clinical models is now possible, and can be expected to more effectively evaluate pancreatic cancer disease and therapeutic response.
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