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Evidence for an additional metastatic route: in vivo imaging of cancer cells in the primo-vascular system around tumors and organs.
- Source :
-
Molecular imaging and biology [Mol Imaging Biol] 2011 Jun; Vol. 13 (3), pp. 471-480. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Purpose: Researchers have been studying the mechanisms by which metastasis can be prevented via blocking the hematogenous and the lymphatic routes for a long time now. However, metastasis is still the single most challenging obstacle for successful cancer management. In a new twist that may require some retooling of this established approach, we investigated the hypothesis that tumor metastases can occur via an independent fluid-conducting system called the primo-vascular system.<br />Procedures: The dissemination and growth of near-infrared quantum dot (NIR QD)-electroporated cancer cells in metastatic sites were investigated using in vivo multispectral imaging techniques.<br />Results: Our results show that the NIR QD-labeled cancer cells were able to migrate through not only the blood vascular and lymphatic systems but also the primo-vascular system extending from around the tumor to inside the abdominal cavity. Furthermore, the NIR QD-labeled cancer cells, which had been seeded intraperitoneally, specifically infiltrated the primo-vascular system in the omentum and in the gonadal fat.<br />Conclusions: These findings strongly suggest that the primo-vascular system may be an additional metastasis route, complementing the lymphatic and hematogenous routes, which facilitate the dissemination and colonization of cancer cells at secondary sites.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Cell Line, Tumor
Cell Movement
Disease Models, Animal
Electroporation
Female
Gonads pathology
Humans
Lymphatic Vessels pathology
Mice
Mice, Nude
Omentum pathology
Ovarian Neoplasms pathology
Quantum Dots
Subcutaneous Tissue pathology
Tumor Stem Cell Assay
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
Diagnostic Imaging methods
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms blood supply
Neoplasms pathology
Organ Specificity
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1860-2002
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Molecular imaging and biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 20567924
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-010-0366-1