Non-invasive quantification of anti-angiogenic therapy by contrast-enhanced MRI in experimental pancreatic cancer.

Background: Currently, early changes of tumor vasculature after angiogenesis inhibition can only be evaluated by histopathology, a method not suitable in a clinical setting.

Purpose: To quantify effects of different angiogenesis inhibitors on the microvasculature of orthotopically implanted pancreatic cancers by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to establish a non-invasive technique for monitoring antiangiogenic cancer treatment.

Material And Methods: DSL-6A/C1 pancreatic cancers were implanted in the pancreas of 109 Lewis rats.