Ciara M McErlean1, Yann Jamin1, Jessica KR Boult1, Alexander Koers1, Laura S Danielson1, David J Collins1, Martin O Leach1, Simon P Robinson1, and Simon J Doran1
This study compares MRI functional measurements of the
vasculature in a preclinical model of neuroblastoma with ex vivo optical
CT high-resolution 3D imaging of the
functional vasculature using India ink staining. MRI showed a heterogeneously
perfused tumour with high fractional blood volume and vessel size index,
characteristic of hypervascular neuroblastoma.
The high resolution optical CT images allowed visualisation of
individual vessels and corroborated the MRI findings. With improved registration,
optical CT could help validate MRI functional biomarkers of the vasculature and
accelerate both our understanding of vessel biology and the evaluation of
vascular-targeted treatment in cancer and other vascular-related
pathologies.
