The Small Animal Imaging Program provides an in vivo imaging core facility to study intact biological systems. Our team performs non-invasive serial whole-body radiological (anatomical, metabolic, and physiological) imaging to characterize animal cancer models and to rapidly evaluate novel cancer therapies and imaging biomarkers.

We perform validation experiments for the NCI Technology Transfer Center and the NCI Experimental Therapeutics Program that assist with patent applications and U.S. Food and Drug Administration submissions, respectively. To augment this mission, our program implements new technologies and develops new techniques (hardware and software) to provide researchers with novel, quantifiable results.

A multi-modality in vivo imaging core

X-ray CT (3D Maximum Intensity Projection) of an E18.5 mouse embryo displaying skeletal structure. Color segmentation by Dr. M. Anderson (Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, CCR, NCI, NIH). 

Characterizing preclinical cancer models, quantitative evaluation of the efficacy of potential anticancer drugs

The Small Animal Imaging Program utilizes multi-modality imaging to evaluate the onset of metastasis, assess tumor heterogeneity, measure metabolic and physiological functions, and evaluate drug efficacy through analyzing changes in tumor and or metastatic tumor burden.

In addition, we investigate imaging biomarkers which can provide an early and quantitative method to gauge drug efficacy (within the first two drug cycles), whereas changes in the anatomical volumes can take several drug cycles.

Simultaneous dual-targeted fluorophore imaged by SAIP. SAIP in collaboration with Dr. M. Schnermann, advanced a fluorescent scanner for deep tissue imaging: a shortwavelength infrared (SWIR) scanner.
In vivo imaging to evaluate cancer processes

Non-invasive whole-body anatomical, metabolic, and physiological imaging

We use preclinical imaging modalities to characterize animal cancer models and then incorporate those animal models to evaluate novel cancer therapies and image biomarkers for rapid assessment of therapy.
What is this? Simultaneous dual-targeted fluorophore imaged by SAIP. SAIP in collaboration with Dr. M. Schnermann, advanced a fluorescent scanner for deep tissue imaging: a shortwavelength infrared (SWIR) scanner.
Information

Imaging biomarker evaluation for improved precision medicine 

The Small Animal Imaging Program offers multi-modality in vivo imaging to provide a comprehensive dataset for evaluating physiological, metabolic, and anatomical functions. We collaborate with the NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis to enhance precision medicine by assessing novel imaging biomarkers and to provide oncologists with additional insight for optimizing patients’ clinical pathways.  

Patient-derived xenograft bladder cancer model

PET biomarker to evaluate drug efficacy

FLT detects drug efficacy earlier than changes in anatomical tumor volume in a PDX bladder cancer model treated with palbociclib.
Targeted multicolor fluorescence SWIR imaging

Short-wave infrared technique enables imaging at greater depths

Improvements in detector technology and fluorescence imaging agents provide enhanced evaluation of drug efficacy.

Our capabilities and specializations

Preclinical non-invasive serial radiological imaging

Measuring changes in the anatomical, physiological, or metabolic functions in the primary tumor or total metastatic burden, in a rodent cancer model induced by a novel therapeutic requires high image resolution, sensitivity, and the ability to incorporate multiple radiological modalities and various imaging probes.

MRI of mouse with false color rendering
False color rendering of a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) of a mouse (coronal view) showing a tumor on the top right side (light blue).

  • Clinical 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizing specially designed rodent coils and multi-nuclear spectroscopy

  • Tumor dynamic susceptibility and permeability

  • Multi-modality imaging: positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission tomography (SPECT), X-ray computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 

  • In vivo imaging biomarkers: [18F] FDG (Glucose metabolism), hyperpolarized [13C] pyruvate, [18F] FSPG (Glutamate), [18F] FGln (Glutamine), [18F] FLT (Cell proliferation), and [18F] Auxmin (amino acid transport)

  • Optical scanners: bioluminescence, fluorescence, and short-wavelength infrared

  • High-frequency (40 MHz) ultrasound scanners for rodents with in vivo imaging biomarkers (untagged microbubbles (tumor perfusion), tagged microbubbles (angiogenesis)) and image guided injections

  • Gamma-well counter for nuclear biodistribution and quantify internal radiation dose