In vivo dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in treatment response monitoring of CWR22 prostate cancer xenografts in athymic mice following radiation therapy and androgen deprivation therapy

Abstract

The goal of this project was to study the difference between CWR22 prostate cancer xenografts with full androgen supply and after undergoing androgen deprivation and/or radiation therapy in immunedeficient mice by applying the non-invasive visualization methods dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). Changes in vascularization, vessel permeability, surface area and volume fraction of EES as a result of androgen deprivation and/or radiation therapy were observed. Increase in ADC for CWR22 xenografts after radiation treatment suggest structural changes at the last day of observation. As a result of androgen deprivation CWR22 xenografts developed a radiation resistant phenotype. The study suggests that serial monitoring of Ktrans could be a useful indicator of therapy responses in prostate cancer.