id_719. BIOLUMINESCENCE AND MRI ASSESSMENT OF GLIOBLASTOMA XENOGRAFT MODELS
Justyna Grymuza1,2, Agata Chudzik2, Anna Niedziałek3, Radosław Rola2
1 Doctoral School of the Medical University of Lublin
2 Department of Neurosurgery and Paediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
3 Department of Radiography, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 16, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary diffuse astrocytic glioma of the central nervous system (CNS). It is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a grade 4 glioma and accounts for approximately 50% of malignant CNS tumors. Standard diagnosis relies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which enables evaluation of tumor location and volume. Despite ongoing advances in surgical and chemoradiotherapeutic treatments, precise methods for assessing tumor progression, particularly in translationally relevant preclinical models, are needed.
AIM(S): The primary aim of this study was to establish a murine orthotopic GBM xenograft model using U-251MG-Luc cells stably transduced with luciferase to enable bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in the presence of luciferin as a substrate.
METHOD(S): The study employed a combination of BLI, which offers high sensitivity for detecting viable tumor cells, and MRI, which provides high spatial resolution. The integration of both methods enabled comprehensive weekly assessment of tumor engraftment, growth dynamics, and morphological progression up to day 56. Additionally, an orthotopic U-87MG GBM xenograft model was developed as a comparative reference.
RESULTS: The results demonstrate that U-251MG-Luc cells formed tumors detectable by BLI earlier than by MRI, highlighting the higher sensitivity of the former. Both tested cell concentrations (5 × 10⁵ and 1 × 10⁶) generated orthotopic xenografts with comparable growth and characteristics. U-87MG cells exhibited rapid growth detectable by MRI, allowing clear tumor visualization after 7 days. This model was successfully established and served as a reliable reference.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the utility of murine orthotopic xenograft models in GBM research and underscore the importance of combining imaging techniques in preclinical studies. Moreover, the study demonstrates the complementary nature of BLI and MRI in studies utilizing preclinical GBM models.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: This study was supported by an internal grant for young researchers of the Medical University of Lublin.