Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI Using a Macromolecular MR Contrast Agent (P792): Evaluation of Antivascular Drug Effect in a Rabbit VX2 Liver Tumor Model

• DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2015.16.5.1029
• Publication Date: 2015-09-02T00:00:50Z
• Authors: Hee Sun Park; Joon Koo Han; Jeong Min Lee; Young Il Kim; Sungmin Woo; Jung Hwan Yoon; Jin-Young Choi; Byung Ihn Choi
• Keywords: Male; Liver Neoplasms; Experimental and Others; Reproducibility of Results; Antineoplastic Agents; Valine; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; 3. Good health; Radiography; Benzophenones; Disease Models, Animal; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Heterocyclic Compounds; Organometallic Compounds; Animals; Rabbits

To evaluate the utility of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) using macromolecular contrast agent (P792) for assessment of vascular disrupting drug effect in rabbit VX2 liver tumor models.This study was approved by our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. DCE-MRI was performed with 3-T scanner in 13 VX2 liver tumor-bearing rabbits, before, 4 hours after, and 24 hours after administration of vascular disrupting agent (VDA), using gadomelitol (P792, n = 7) or low molecular weight contrast agent (gadoterate meglumine [Gd-DOTA], n = 6). P792 was injected at a of dose 0.05 mmol/kg, while that of Gd-DOTA was 0.2 mmol/kg. DCE-MRI parameters including volume transfer coefficient (K(trans)) and initial area under the gadolinium concentration-time curve until 60 seconds (iAUC) of tumors were compared between the 2 groups at each time point. DCE-MRI parameters were correlated with tumor histopathology. Reproducibility in measurement of DCE-MRI parameters and image quality of source MR were compared between groups.P792 group showed a more prominent decrease in K(trans) and iAUC at 4 hours and 24 hours, as compared to the Gd-DOTA group. Changes in DCE-MRI parameters showed a weak correlation with histologic parameters (necrotic fraction and microvessel density) in both groups. Reproducibility of DCE-MRI parameters and overall image quality was not significantly better in the P792 group, as compared to the Gd-DOTA group.Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging using a macromolecular contrast agent shows changes of hepatic perfusion more clearly after administration of the VDA. Gadolinium was required at smaller doses than a low molecular contrast agent.