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Interstitial pH and pO2 gradients in solid tumors in vivo: High-resolution measurements reveal a lack of correlation

Nature Medicine volume 3, pages 177–182 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

The partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and pH play critical roles in tumor biology and therapy. We report here the first combined, high-resolution (≤10 μm) measurements of interstitial pH and pO2 profiles between adjacent vessels in a human tumor xenograft, using fluorescence ratio imaging and phosphorescence quenching microscopy. We found (1) heterogeneity in shapes of pH and pO2 profiles; (2) a discordant relation between local pH profiles and corresponding pO2 profiles, yet a strong correlation between mean pH and pO2 profiles; (3) no correlation between perivascular pH/pO2 and nearest vessel blood flow; and (4) well-perfused tumor vessels that were hypoxic and, consequently, large hypoxic areas in the surrounding interstitium. Such multiparameter measurements of the in vivo microenvironment provide unique insights into biological processes in tumors and their response to treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Edwin L. Steele Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, USA

    Gabriel Helmlinger, Fan Yuan, Marc Dellian & Rakesh K. Jain

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  1. Gabriel Helmlinger
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  2. Fan Yuan
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  3. Marc Dellian
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  4. Rakesh K. Jain
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Helmlinger, G., Yuan, F., Dellian, M. et al. Interstitial pH and pO2 gradients in solid tumors in vivo: High-resolution measurements reveal a lack of correlation. Nat Med 3, 177–182 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0297-177

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