Bioluminescent imaging: a critical tool in pre-clinical oncology research.
O'Neill, Karen Lyons, Scott K Gallagher, William M Curran, Kathleen M Byrne, Annette T
O'Neill, Karen
Lyons, Scott K
Gallagher, William M
Curran, Kathleen M
Byrne, Annette T
Advisors
Editors
Other Contributors
Date
2010-02
Date Submitted
Keywords
Other Subjects
Subject Mesh
Animals
Disease Models, Animal
Disease Progression
Luciferases
Luminescent Measurements
Mice
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms, Experimental
Disease Models, Animal
Disease Progression
Luciferases
Luminescent Measurements
Mice
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms, Experimental
Planned Date
Start Date
Collaborators
Principal Investigators
Alternative Titles
Publisher
Abstract
Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) is a non-invasive imaging modality widely used in the field of pre-clinical oncology research. Imaging of small animal tumour models using BLI involves the generation of light by luciferase-expressing cells in the animal following administration of substrate. This light may be imaged using an external detector. The technique allows a variety of tumour-associated properties to be visualized dynamically in living models. The increasing use of BLI as a small-animal imaging modality has led to advances in the development of xenogeneic, orthotopic, and genetically engineered animal models expressing luciferase genes. This review aims to provide insight into the principles of BLI and its applications in cancer research. Many studies to assess tumour growth and development, as well as efficacy of candidate therapeutics, have been performed using BLI. More recently, advances have also been made using bioluminescent imaging in studies of protein-protein interactions, genetic screening, cell-cycle regulators, and spontaneous cancer development. Such novel studies highlight the versatility and potential of bioluminescent imaging in future oncological research.
Language
en
ISSN
1096-9896
eISSN
ISBN
DOI
10.1002/path.2656
PMID
19967724