High-frequency Doppler ultrasound monitors the effects of antivascular therapy on tumor blood flow

The effect of antivascular therapy on blood flow in superficial tumors was monitored using novel high frequency Doppler (HFD) ultrasound techniques. Human melanoma cells (MeWo) were injected orthotopically into the skin of athymic nude mice. Volumetric HFD imaging of established melanomas detected a significant reduction in blood flow 4 h after injection of the tumor vascular targeting agent ZD6126 followed by a recovery of flow by 24 h after injection. Measurements of tumor perfusion in situ by Hoechst 33342 staining correlated with the ultrasound results. This study demonstrates the feasibility of HFD as a noninvasive, quantitative tool for following longitudinally the effects of antivascular therapy on blood flow in superficial tumors.