In vivo monitoring the process of tumor growth, metastasis and bacterial infection expressing GFP via real-time optical imaging.

Noninvasive molecular fluorescence imaging in vivo which combines Optical imaging with genetic marker technology can real time monitor the development of tumor, through the use of human adenoid cystic carcinoma cell (ACC-M) and lung carcinoma cells SPC-A1 were thansfected by green fluorescent protein (GFP). This study established three types of model: Experimental metastases by tail vein injection of ACC-M-EGFP, spontaneous metastases by abdomen subcutaneous injection of SPC-A1-EGFP and subcutaneous tumor growth by subcutaneous injection of SPC-A1-EGFP. Tumor-bearing mice were viewed with whole-body fluorescent imaging system. The results showed that growth and metastasis of tumor were visualized clearly with this system. While this simple, nonintrusive technique can show in great detail the temporal behavior of the infectious process of red fluorescent protein (DsRed2)-expressing bacteria from outside intact infected animals. Therefore, this study provides a platform for monitoring tumor growth and metastasis and evaluating efficacy of antitumor drugs in vivo.