I am setting up an experimental metastatic model of Lewis lung carcinoma by intravenous injection of LL/2 cells into the tail vein. I am looking for ways to quantify tumor burden in the lungs.
I understand that using Luciferase/fluorescence expressing cell line is one way to detect tumor cells in the lungs, however, I am looking for something more specific, perhaps a marker expressed in these tumor cells which would increase with tumor progression (For e.g. for B16F10 cells, I am using a melanocyte specific gene and study tumor burden using RT-PCR).
Thanks for your suggestions!
You're planning RT-PCR. I assume you euthanize the mice before. Just weigh the tumors or whole lungs, have appropriate controls.
If you want to quantify the Tumor burden exactly, you should use sterological methods. These begin with the Determination of the lung weight. But the work-up of the lungs is very important (e.g. randomized sectioning etc.). The best, you use sterological methods such as the dissector. Good luck!
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