Affiliations: Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University
Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA | Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University,
Durham, NC 27710, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke
University Medical Center, Research Drive, Room 201 MSRB, Box 3455 DUMC,
Durham, NC 27710, USA. Tel.: +1 919 694 4180; Fax: +1 919 684 8718; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: The purpose of this report is to present an overview of the use of
fluorescence imaging in vivo, with particular emphasis on oncology. It is
important to note, however, that many of the methods described herein have been
applied to the study of non-malignant tissues as well. Modern medicine and
biology research has benefited greatly from an ever-expanding assortment of
fluorescent markers and labels. These markers and labels have allowed
investigators to observe the behavior and properties of cell and molecular
entities of interest in the context of complicated biological systems such as a
mammalian cell or a whole mouse. Methods developed to image fluorescence in
whole mice have been valuable in studying patterns of tumor growth and
metastases. Alternatively, more detailed information and a wide variety of
endpoints can be obtained using "intravital" preparations. This review
focuses on use of fluorescence imaging for intravital preparations. For detail
on fluorescence imaging of whole animals, refer to reviews on this
subject [1,2]. For oncologic applications, studies have focused primarily on
window chamber preparations that allow for real-time visualization of tumor
growth, vascularity, vascular responses to stimulation, vascular permeability,
vascular orientation, flow instability, and the like. These endpoints have been
used to show that there are functional differences between tumor and normal
tissues with respect to these functions under baseline conditions and after
therapeutic manipulation. Examples of some of these differences are provided in
this review as a means to illustrate how they can be used.
Journal: Disease Markers, vol. 18, no. 5-6, pp. 293-311, 2002
