Abstract #3711

Tracking Metastatic Tumor Cells in Lymphatics in Mice Xenograft Model by MR Imaging

Ting Liu¹, Haiju Zhou², Rui Xia³, Jichun Liao³, Hui Wang³, Hua Ai⁴, Feng Bi², Fabao Gao¹

¹Department of Radiology, West China HospitalSichuan University, CHENGDU, SICHUAN , China, People's Republic of; ²Department of Oncology, West China HospitalSichuan University, CHENGDU, SICHUAN, China, People's Republic of; ³Department of Radiology, West China HospitalSichuan University, CHENGDU, SICHUAN, China, People's Republic of; ⁴National Engineering Research Center for BiomaterialsSichuan University, CHENGDU, SICHUAN, China, People's Republic of

To investigate the mechanism of tumor lymphatic metastases, we inoculated subcutaneously with USPIO labeled and unlabeled LOVO cells in foot pad, groin or axillary area of nude mice, respectively, to develop a model system for tracking metastatic tumor cells in lymphatic system with MR cellular imaging in live mice. MR T2/ T2* weighted image showed the primary tumor growth and the draining lymphatic architecture, as well as the USPIO labeled tumor cells metastasized into regional lymph node at 8 days P.I. And histological finding confirmed MR imaging results and revealed a close relationship between tumor lymphatic metastasis with lymphangiogenesis.