Table 3.
Method | Physical basis | Reagents used | Spatial resolution | Reporter gene needed | Smallest detectable tumor (diameter) | Analysis time | Main advantages | Main disadvantages |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T2W-MRI | Proton spin relaxation after radiowave emission | None | 100 μm | No | 1 mm | 3 hours/ mouse 30 hours/10 mice |
High spatial resolution; Anatomical information; Gives tumor localization, size and morphology | Low throughput; Respiratory motion and high background make tumor detection in lungs challenging |
FDG-PET | High-energy γ rays | 18Fluoro-deoxy-glucose | 2 mm | No | <1 mm | 3 hours/ mouse 13 hours/ 10 mice |
Detection of nonpalpable tumors; Quantifies tumor cell metabolism; Gives tumor localization | High background in some organs (brain, and bladder) prevents tumor detection in these regions |
Biolumines-cence imaging | Visible light emitted during chemical reaction | D-luciferin substrate | 1 to 10 mm dependant on tissue depth | Yes | <1 mm | 1 hour/ mouse 2 hours/10 mice |
Detection of nonpalpable tumors; Low background; Relative measure of tumor size; High throughput | Light emission dependant on 1/ tissue depth, 2/local availability of substrate reagents (luciferin, O2, and ATP) |
Fluorescence imaging | Visible light emitted after fluorochrome excitation | None | 1 to 10 mm dependant on tissue depth | Yes | 2 mm | 30 min/ mouse 1 hour/ 10 mice |
High throughput | Light emission dependant on tissue depth; High background due to tissue autofluorescence |