VEGFR2-Targeted Ultrasound Imaging Agent Enhances the Detection of Ovarian Tumors at Early Stage in Laying Hens, a Preclinical Model of Spontaneous Ovarian Cancer. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barua, Animesh; Yellapa, Aparna; Bahr, Janice M.; Machado, Sergio A.; Bitterman, Pincas; Basu, Sanjib; Sharma, Sameer; Abramowicz, Jacques S.
• Is Part Of: Ultrasonic imaging. Volume 37:Number 3(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 224
• Page End: 237
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: ovarian cancer -- early detection -- ultrasound imaging -- VEGFR2-targeted imaging agent -- laying hen model; Diagnostic ultrasonic imaging -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Ultrasonic testing -- Periodicals; Ultrasonic imaging -- Periodicals; Ultrasonography -- Periodicals; Échographie -- Méthodologie -- Périodiques; Essais par ultrasons -- Périodiques; Imagerie ultrasonore -- Périodiques; 616.07543
• DOI: 10.1177/0161734614553603
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-7346

Abstract

Tumor-associated neoangiogenesis (TAN) is an early event in ovarian cancer (OVCA) development. Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) by TAN vessels presents a potential target for early detection by ultrasound imaging. The goal of this study was to examine the suitability of VEGFR2-targeted ultrasound contrast agents in detecting spontaneous OVCA in laying hens. Effects of VEGFR2-targeted contrast agents in enhancing the intensity of ultrasound imaging from spontaneous ovarian tumors in hens were examined in a cross-sectional study. Enhancement in the intensity of ultrasound imaging was determined before and after injection of VEGFR2-targeted contrast agents. All ultrasound images were digitally stored and analyzed off-line. Following scanning, ovarian tissues were collected and processed for histology and detection of VEGFR2-expressing microvessels. Enhancement in visualization of ovarian morphology was detected by gray-scale imaging following injection of VEGFR2-targeted contrast agents. Compared with pre-contrast, contrast imaging enhanced the intensities of ultrasound imaging significantly ( p < 0.0001) irrespective of the pathological status of ovaries. In contrast to normal hens, the intensity of ultrasound imaging was significantly ( p < 0.0001) higher in hens with early stage OVCA and increased further in hens with late stage OVCA. Higher intensities of ultrasound imaging in hens with OVCA were positively correlated with increased ( p < 0.0001) frequencies of VEGFR2-expressing microvessels. The results of this study suggest that VEGFR2-targeted contrast agents enhance the visualization of spontaneous ovarian tumors in hens at early and late stages of OVCA. The laying hen may be a suitable model to test new imaging agents and develop targeted therapeutics.