Cancer Research
Research Toward a Cure
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis, the fifth hallmark of cancer, is the process of recruiting new blood vessels to obtain the required nutrients for fueling continued cell division and the growth of a community of cells.
Vasculature Imaging on Pearl® Impulse Imager
Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) is a common characteristic of tumor vasculature. The vascular endothelium in the tumor microenvironment is often discontinuous, allowing molecules to diffuse into the surrounding tumor tissue. In addition to EPR, the lymphatic drainage for these regions is poor. Hence, larger molecules tend to accumulate.
IRDye® 800CW PEG Contrast Agent (25-60 kDa) is a non-specific imaging agent intended to exploit EPR in tumor biology. In appropriate mouse models, the agent highlights surface vasculature for approximately 0.5 hour post injection as seen in Figure 1. Approximately 4 hours post injection, retention of the labeled macromolecule is visible in the tumor (Figure 2). At 9 hours post-intravenous injection the tumor is well defined (Figure 3).
In addition, IRDye 800CW PEG Contrast Agent may also be used effectively as a lymph tracking agent when given intradermally (Figure 4). Images captured on the Pearl® Impulse Imaging System.
Figure 1. Athymic male nu/nu mouse (~5-6 wks old) 0.5 hour after receiving IRDye 800CW PEG (1 nmole) intravenously. Surface blood vessels are visible. Vascular feature is mouse model dependent, see pack insert for Precautions.
Figure 2. Athymic male nu/nu mouse approximately 4 hours after receiving IRDye 800CW PEG (1 nmole) intravenously. Large blood vessels and tumor are visible.
Figure 3. Athymic male nu/nu mouse approximately 9 hours after receiving IRDye 800CW PEG (1 nmole) intravenously. Tumor is clearly defined.
Figure 4. Athymic male nu/nu mouse minutes after receiving IRDye 800CW PEG (~0.1 nmole) intradermally on the tail (right side). Image highlights use of IRDye PEG as a lymph imaging agent.
