Appearance
MRI of the tumor microenvironment.
Literature Information
| DOI | 10.1002/jmri.10181 |
|---|---|
| PMID | 12353258 |
| Journal | Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI |
| Impact Factor | 3.5 |
| JCR Quartile | Q1 |
| Publication Year | 2002 |
| Times Cited | 232 |
| Keywords | tumor microenvironment, hypoxia, acidity, vascular distribution, nuclear magnetic resonance |
| Literature Type | Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review |
| ISSN | 1053-1807 |
| Pages | 430-50 |
| Issue | 16(4) |
| Authors | Robert J Gillies, Natarajan Raghunand, Gregory S Karczmar, Zaver M Bhujwalla |
TL;DR
This review highlights the significant differences in tumor microenvironments compared to normal tissues, particularly focusing on chaotic vasculature leading to hypoxia and acidic conditions that affect tumor progression and therapy response. It discusses emerging imaging techniques, especially nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), that provide high-resolution insights into these hostile environments, which could enhance our understanding of tumor biology and improve therapeutic strategies.
Search for more papers on MaltSci.com
tumor microenvironment · hypoxia · acidity · vascular distribution · nuclear magnetic resonance
Abstract
The microenvironment within tumors is significantly different from that in normal tissues. A major difference is seen in the chaotic vasculature of tumors, which results in unbalanced blood supply and significant perfusion heterogeneities. As a consequence, many regions within tumors are transiently or chronically hypoxic. This exacerbates tumor cells' natural tendency to overproduce acids, resulting in very acidic pH values. The hypoxia and acidity of tumors have important consequences for antitumor therapy and can contribute to the progression of tumors to a more aggressive metastatic phenotype. Over the past decade, techniques have emerged that allow the interrogation of the tumor microenvironment with high resolution and molecularly specific probes. Techniques are available to interrogate perfusion, vascular distribution, pH, and pO(2) nondestructively in living tissues with relatively high precision. Studies employing these methods have provided new insights into the causes and consequences of the hostile tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, it is quite exciting that there are emerging techniques that generate tumor image contrast via ill-defined mechanisms. Elucidation of these mechanisms will yield further insights into the tumor microenvironment. This review attempts to identify techniques and their application to tumor biology, with an emphasis on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) approaches. Examples are also discussed using electron MR, optical, and radionuclear imaging techniques.
MaltSci.com AI Research Service
Intelligent ReadingAnswer any question about the paper and explain complex charts and formulas
Locate StatementsFind traces of a specific claim within the paper
Add to KBasePerform data extraction, report drafting, and advanced knowledge mining
Primary Questions Addressed
- How do variations in tumor microenvironmental pH levels influence the effectiveness of different cancer therapies?
- What are the latest advancements in imaging techniques that can further enhance our understanding of tumor vascularity and perfusion?
- In what ways does chronic hypoxia in tumors contribute to the development of resistance to chemotherapy?
- How might emerging imaging technologies impact the future of personalized medicine in oncology?
- What role do acidic microenvironments play in tumor cell metabolism and its implications for therapeutic strategies?
Key Findings
1. Research Background and Objective
The microenvironment of tumors presents distinct characteristics that differentiate it from normal tissues. One of the primary differences is the disorganized vascular structure prevalent in tumors, leading to uneven blood supply and significant variations in perfusion. This abnormal vasculature contributes to both transient and chronic hypoxia in various tumor regions. Additionally, the resultant hypoxic conditions exacerbate the tendency of tumor cells to produce excess acids, leading to notably acidic pH levels. Understanding these microenvironmental factors is crucial, as they have profound implications for anti-tumor therapies and may drive tumors toward a more aggressive metastatic phenotype. The objective of this review is to explore advanced imaging techniques that provide detailed insights into the tumor microenvironment, particularly focusing on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods, while also discussing complementary imaging modalities.
2. Main Methods and Findings
Recent advancements in imaging techniques have enabled researchers to investigate the tumor microenvironment with high resolution and specificity. These methods include NMR, electron magnetic resonance (EMR), optical imaging, and radionuclear imaging. They allow for non-destructive interrogation of key parameters such as perfusion, vascular distribution, pH levels, and partial oxygen pressure (pO2) in live tissues. The application of these imaging techniques has led to new understandings of the microenvironment's role in tumor biology, revealing how hypoxia and acidity influence tumor progression and response to therapies. Additionally, the review highlights emerging imaging methods that generate tumor contrast through poorly understood mechanisms, suggesting potential avenues for further research.
3. Core Conclusions
The review concludes that the tumor microenvironment is characterized by chaotic vasculature, leading to hypoxia and acidosis, which significantly affect tumor behavior and treatment efficacy. The advancements in imaging technologies have provided a powerful toolkit for elucidating these complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment. By employing high-resolution and molecularly specific probes, researchers can gain deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms that contribute to tumor aggressiveness and therapy resistance.
4. Research Significance and Impact
This research is significant as it enhances our understanding of the tumor microenvironment's complexities and its implications for cancer treatment. The insights gained from applying advanced imaging techniques could lead to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of individual tumors. Additionally, the identification of new imaging modalities and their mechanisms may pave the way for innovative diagnostic tools, ultimately improving patient outcomes in cancer care. This work underscores the importance of integrating advanced imaging approaches into cancer research to better comprehend and combat tumor biology.
Literatures Citing This Work
- Effects of tumour acidification with glucose+MIBG on the spontaneous metastatic potential of two murine cell lines. - T Kalliomäki;R P Hill - British journal of cancer (2004)
- Tissue oxygen tension measurements in the Shionogi model of prostate cancer using 19F MRS and MRI. - J A McNab;A C Yung;P Kozlowski - Magma (New York, N.Y.) (2004)
- Sodium magnetic resonance imaging of chemotherapeutic response in a rat glioma. - Victor D Schepkin;Brian D Ross;Thomas L Chenevert;Alnawaz Rehemtulla;Surabhi Sharma;Mahesh Kumar;Jadranka Stojanovska - Magnetic resonance in medicine (2005)
- Viscoelastic imaging of breast tumor microenvironment with ultrasound. - Michael F Insana;Claire Pellot-Barakat;Mallika Sridhar;Karen K Lindfors - Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia (2004)
- Uncovering of intracellular water in cultured cells. - Jean-Philippe Galons;Silvia Lope-Piedrafita;Joseph L Divijak;Curt Corum;Robert J Gillies;Theodore P Trouard - Magnetic resonance in medicine (2005)
- Distribution of gadomelitol in a human breast tumor model in mice. - C Corot;P Robert;E Lancelot;A Martinell;R Santus - Magma (New York, N.Y.) (2005)
- The effect of surgically induced ischaemia on gene expression in a colorectal cancer xenograft model. - G Atkin;F M Daley;S Bourne;R Glynne-Jones;J Northover;G D Wilson - British journal of cancer (2006)
- The B12 anti-tryptase monoclonal antibody disrupts the tetrameric structure of heparin-stabilized beta-tryptase to form monomers that are inactive at neutral pH and active at acidic pH. - Yoshihiro Fukuoka;Lawrence B Schwartz - Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) (2006)
- Proton and sodium MRI assessment of emerging tumor chemotherapeutic resistance. - Victor D Schepkin;Kuei C Lee;Kyle Kuszpit;Mukilan Muthuswami;Timothy D Johnson;Thomas L Chenevert;Alnawaz Rehemtulla;Brian D Ross - NMR in biomedicine (2006)
- The NHERF1 PDZ2 domain regulates PKA-RhoA-p38-mediated NHE1 activation and invasion in breast tumor cells. - Rosa A Cardone;Antonia Bellizzi;Giovanni Busco;Edward J Weinman;Maria E Dell'Aquila;Valeria Casavola;Amalia Azzariti;Anita Mangia;Angelo Paradiso;Stephan J Reshkin - Molecular biology of the cell (2007)
... (222 more literatures)
© 2025 MaltSci - We reshape scientific research with AI technology