Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of Gastric Cancer In Tff1 Knock-Out Mice

In this work, the use of MRI to stage gastric neoplasia in a mouse model of spontaneous gastric cancer is demonstrated. The methodology involves 1) the use of deuterated water ((H2O)-H-2) to distend the stomach, and to provide negative contrast between the stomach and the lumen without inducing susceptibility-based field shifts; 2) GlucaGen((R)) to minimize motion artifacts that arise from peristalsis; and 3) Gd-DTPA to enhance contrast between the dysplasia/tumor and the normal wall. Initial images are presented from a Tff1 -/- homozygous knockout model of gastric cancer and a heterozygous C57BL6/J control mouse. There are clear differences between the two types of animals in the MR appearance of the stomach. The distended stomach of the control mouse has a smooth perimeter and a thin wall, and an absence of nodules. The stomach of the Tff1 -/- mouse demonstrates a thickened wall; a jagged, irregular surface; and protruding nodules that are bright after injection of Gd-DTPA. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.