A non-invasive approach to monitor chronic lymphocytic leukemia engraftment in a xenograft mouse model using ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide-magnetic resonance imaging (USPIO-MRI)

Publication date: Available online 16 July 2016
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Francesca Valdora, Giovanna Cutrona, Serena Matis, Fortunato Morabito, Carlotta Massucco, Laura Emionite, Simona Boccardo, Luca Basso, Anna Grazia Recchia, Sandra Salvi, Francesca Rosa, Massimo Gentile, Marco Ravina, Daniele Pace, Angela Castronovo, Michele Cilli, Mauro Truini, Massimo Calabrese, Antonino Neri, Carlo Emanuele Neumaier, Franco Fais, Gabriella Baio, Manlio Ferrarini
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent leukemia among adults. Despite its indolent nature, CLL remains an incurable disease. Herein we aimed to monitor CLL disease engraftment and,progression/regression in a xenograft CLL mouse model using ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide-magnetic resonance imaging (USPIO-MRI). Spleen contrast enhancement, quantified as percentage change in signal intensity upon USPIO administration, demonstrated a difference due to a reduced USPIO uptake, in the spleens of mice injected with CLL cells (NSG-CLL, n=71) compared to controls (NSG-CTR, n=17). These differences were statistically significant both after 2 and 4weeks from CLL cells injection. In addition comparison of mice treated with rituximab with untreated controls for changes in spleen iron uptake confirmed that it is possible to monitor treatment efficacy in this mouse model of CLL using USPIO-enhanced MRI. Further applications could include the preclinical in vivo monitoring of new therapies and the clinical evaluation of CLL patients.



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