A high-throughput imaging platform to characterize extracellular pH in organotypic three-dimensional in vitro models of liver cancer.

Given the extraordinary nature of tumor metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma and its impact on oncologic treatment response, this study introduces a novel high-throughput extracellular pH (pH ) mapping platform using magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro model of liver cancer. pH mapping was performed using biosensor imaging of redundant deviation in shifts (BIRDS) on 9.4 T and 11.

Science to Practice: Molecular-targeted Drug Delivery in Combination with Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Cancer: A Magic Bullet?

In an effort to improve the technical success rates and clinical outcomes of radiofrequency (RF) ablation, Yan et al validated the use of a tumor-penetrating peptide and thermosensitive doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded nanoparticles in combination with RF ablation in a hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model. By achieving higher chemotherapeutic drug concentrations in target lesions, fewer toxic effects, and improved survival end points in an animal tumor model, the authors conclude that superior tumor treatment with RF ablation is possible when combined with molecular-targeted drug delivery systems.