Summary: | The aim of this work was to systematically obtain quantitative imaging parameters with static and dynamic contrast-enhanced (CE) X-ray imaging techniques and to evaluate their correlation with histological biomarkers of angiogenesis in a subcutaneous C6 glioma model. Enhancement (E), iodine concentration (C<sub>I</sub>), and relative blood volume (rBV) were quantified from single- and dual-energy (SE and DE, respectively) micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images, while rBV and volume transfer constant (K<sup>trans</sup>) were quantified from dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) planar images. C<sub>I</sub> and rBV allowed a better discernment of tumor regions from muscle than E in SE and DE images, while no significant differences were found for rBV and K<sup>trans</sup> in DCE images. An agreement was found in rBV for muscle quantified with the different imaging protocols, and in C<sub>I</sub> and E quantified with SE and DE protocols. Significant strong correlations (Pearson <i>r</i> > 0.7, <i>p</i> < 0.05) were found between a set of imaging parameters in SE images and histological biomarkers: E and C<sub>I</sub> in tumor periphery were associated with microvessel density (MVD) and necrosis, E and C<sub>I</sub> in the complete tumor with MVD, and rBV in the tumor periphery with MVD. In conclusion, quantitative imaging parameters obtained in SE micro-CT images could be used to characterize angiogenesis and necrosis in the subcutaneous C6 glioma model.
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