Monitoring antivascular therapy with high frequency ultrasound flow imaging

The effect of antivascular therapy on blood flow in superficial mouse tumors was monitored using high frequency Doppler flow imaging techniques (HFD). Volumetric flow imaging of established melanomas detected a significant reduction in blood flow 4 hours after injection of the tumor vascular targeting agent ZD6126 followed by a recovery of flow by 24 hours after injection. Measurements of tumor perfusion in situ by Hoechst perfusion staining correlated with the ultrasound results. This study demonstrates the feasibility of high frequency flow imaging as a quantitative tool for following longitudinally the effects of antivascular therapy on blood flow in superficial tumors.