Implications for Imaging and Imaging-Guided Therapy
Brian S. Kuszyk1,
Frank M. Corl,
F. Nicholas Franano,
David A. Bluemke,
Lawrence V. Hofmann,
Brian J. Fortman and
Elliot K. Fishman
1
All authors: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological
Science, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore,
MD 21287.
Fig. 2C.Illustrations depict basic steps involved in tumor
angiogenesis. Fibrin leaks from blood pool into interstitium, creating
extracellular matrix that facilitates cell growth. Proteases and collagenases
break down capillary basement membranes.
Fig. 3.Illustration of outer margin of tumor depicts abnormal and
heterogeneous vascular supply in solid tumors. Tumor periphery (advancing
front) typically has best vascular supply. Central portions of larger tumors
are often hypovascular, with areas of hypoxia and central necrosis. Tumor
vessels are abnormal in structure and function, with increased tortuosity and
corkscrew configurations.
Fig. 4A.Illustrations show effect of interstitial pressure in tumor
on transport of contrast agents and drugs across vessel wall into tumor
interstitium. In normal tissues, intravascular pressure is much higher than
interstitial pressure. Molecules are transported across vessel wall by
convection process that is driven by pressure gradients.
Fig. 4B.Illustrations show effect of interstitial pressure in tumor
on transport of contrast agents and drugs across vessel wall into tumor
interstitium. High pressure in tumor interstitium minimizes convective
(pressure gradientdriven) transfer of molecules out of vessels and to
targeted tumor cells. Convective transfer is particularly important for large
molecules, which move slowly by diffusion. Interstitial pressure is elevated
almost uniformly throughout most of tumor. Pressure drops off at tumor
periphery, resulting in a pressure gradient that drives molecules out of tumor
by convection.
Fig. 5.Illustration shows barriers faced by molecule crossing
interstitium to reach targeted cancer cell. Because transport in compartment
is primarily by diffusion, large molecules move slowly. Molecular transport is
further hindered by binding within interstitium, enzymatic destruction, and
inactivation by acidic environment encountered in hypoperfused, hypoxia areas
in center of tumor.
Fig. 6.67-year-old man with prostate cancer. SPECT image with
radiolabeled antibodies shows poor signal-to-background contrast, which has
generally limited usefulness of antibody-based imaging agents. Barriers that
solid tumors present to delivery of tumor-specific but high-molecular-weight
molecules, such as antibodies, can reduce effectiveness of such agents.
Fig. 7.47-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma. Arterial-phase
helical CT scan reveals focal area of early enhancement (arrow)
attributable to hepatocellular carcinoma. Such enhancement is related to
neovascularity and increased capillary permeability in tumor. Both CT and MR
arterial-phase imaging exploit process of tumor angiogenesis to reveal
tumors.