Osteoblastic and angiogenic reactions in prostate cancer bone metastasis models studied by macromolecular DCE-MRI and μCT

Introduction: Osteoblastic bone metastasis is the main cause of morbidity and mortality from androgen-independent prostate cancer. Currently there are very few models that reflect the osteoblastic phenotype of prostate cancer. Recently however, a clinically relevant xenograft model of osteoblastic bone metastases was established from an androgen-independent prostate cancer patient. This model demonstrated robust osteoblastic reaction (by recruitment of host cells) in the absence of androgen receptor and was used to identify some of the involved paracrine factors [1]. In this study we aim to further characterize the osteoblastic and angiogenic properties of this xenograft model by in vivo macromolecular DCE-MRI and ex vivo μCT, and to compare it to an established osteolytic model.