Abstract #1769

Ni Y, Sun X, Chen F, De Keyzer F, Vandecaveye V, Landuyt W, Van Hecke P, Bosmans H, Marchal G

We sought to noninvasively monitor the therapeutic effects of a vascular targeting agent Combretastatin A-4-phosphate (CA4-P) in rats (n = 15) with liver implantation of rhabdomyosarcomas (R1) by using a 1.5 Tesla clinical MR scanner. We applied comprehensive MR techniques including T2-, contrast enhancing T1-, diffusion-, and dynamic susceptibility perfusion-weighted MRI with regional blood volume and flow maps as well as 1H-MRS in correlation with microangiographic and histological findings. With vascular shutdown and angiogenesis being vividly documented, R1 tumors grew significantly slower in CA4-P treated rats than in saline controls. Noninvasive longitudinal therapeutic follow-up in rodent liver tumors proved feasible.