Micro Ultrasound Scanner to Track Tumor Models

描述（由申请人提供）：将购买一台Visualsonics Vevo 2100高频微超声仪器，以便在Herbert Irving综合癌症中心（HICCC）对携带遗传驱动肿瘤模型的小鼠进行无创、高通量、实时体内成像。哥伦比亚大学的跨学科研究团队包括外科、医学、儿科肿瘤学、病理学、妇产科、放射学、遗传学与发育学、泌尿学、生物医学工程和化学工程等学科的教授。该团队包括哥伦比亚大学内技术开发人员（工程师）和最终用户（医生）之间的独特协作。微型超声仪器将允许在纵向研究中对小鼠肿瘤进行解剖、功能、生理和分子测量。几个目前资助的NIH研究项目将通过购买微型超声扫描仪得到支持。研究将集中在(1)致命性儿科疾病的治疗，(2)前列腺癌的治疗，(3)乳腺癌的治疗，(4)胰腺癌的治疗，(5)了解血管生成，(6)开发和翻译创新的超声技术，如造影剂和弹性成像方法。微型超声仪器将有助于创建和跟踪这些癌症的模型。主要用户感兴趣的是肿瘤如何随着时间的推移而发展以及它们对治疗干预的反应。微超声成像结果可指导治疗。此外，Vevo 2100将开发用于分子成像和弹性成像的新技术，以研究肿瘤模型及其对治疗的反应。例如，一种涉及免疫屏蔽、超声刺激造影剂的新方法将在肿瘤模型上进行测试，该方法旨在提高分子成像过程中血管询问的质量。由于超声是一种已建立的临床模式，将其应用于儿科、乳腺、前列腺和胰腺肿瘤的动物建模可能会为评估新的癌症治疗方法提供一套合理的终点。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A Visualsonics Vevo 2100 high-frequency micro-ultrasound instrument will be purchased in order to perform noninvasive, high-throughput, real-time in vivo imaging of mice bearing genetically driven tumor models at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC). The interdisciplinary research team at Columbia University includes professors of surgery, medicine, pediatric oncology, pathology, OB/GYN, radiology, genetics & development, urology, biomedical engineering and chemical engineering. The team includes a unique collaboration between technology developers (engineers) and end users (physicians) within Columbia University. The micro- ultrasound instrument will allow anatomical, functional, physiological and molecular measurements of tumors in mice over longitudinal studies. Several currently funded NIH research projects will be bolstered by the purchase of a micro-ultrasound scanner. Research will focus on (1) treatment of devastating pediatric diseases, (2) treatment of prostate cancer, (3) treatment of breast cancer, (4) treatment of pancreatic cancer, (5) understanding angiogenesis and (6) developing and translating innovative ultrasound technologies, such as contrast agents and elastographic methods. The micro- ultrasound instrument will aid in creating and tracking models for these cancers. The major users are interested in how the tumors develop over time and how they respond to therapeutic intervention. Results from micro-ultrasound imaging could inform and guide therapy. Additionally, new techniques will be developed with the Vevo 2100 for molecular imaging and elastography to investigate the tumor models and their response to therapy. For example, a new method involving immune-shielded, ultrasound- stimulated contrast agents designed to enhance the quality of vascular interrogation during molecular imaging will be tested on the tumor models. Because ultrasound is an established clinical modality, extending its use to animal modeling of pediatric, breast, prostate and pancreatic tumors may allow the development of a set of rational endpoints for assessment of novel cancer therapies. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Micro-ultrasound will be used to measure the anatomy and physiology of models for pediatric, breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers. The goals are to understand the development and progression of tumors over time, and to examine the responses of tumors to new drugs. This instrument will be used to acquire highly detailed molecular and physiological information about tumor behavior and drug responses with the Ultimate goal of developing new clinical therapies and technologies