Getting the Most out of Bioluminescent Imaging for Your Research

The application of bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in preclinical research studies offers quantitative, sensitive, longitudinal real-time data and can be applied in: 

• Validation of cancer cell lines, helping to establish improved preclinical cancer mouse models. 
• Syngeneic (rodent cell lines) and/or xenograft (human cell lines) tumour models, offering improved sensitivity to traditional calliper measurements in helping detect (early) tumour growth regression following drug treatment.  
• Orthotopic tumour models, enabling assessment of tumour growth in a model with relevant tumour microenvironment in mouse models of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, glioblastoma etc., (Figure 1A and B).  
• Metastatic tumour models, enabling the sensitive assessment and extent of metastasis in a various range of cancer types. 
• Studies used to evaluate novel (immuno)therapies such as CAR-T cells, NK cells, checkpoint inhibition, combination and radiation therapies.  
• Studies evaluating novel therapy’s mechanism of action complemented with immune cell profiling via flow cytometry.  
• Studies aiming to assess novel delivery methods such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), exosomes, liposomes, etc., to obtain biodistribution, compound’s half-life and stability information (Figure 1C).  
• Evaluation of (stem) cell therapies, offering valuable information on survival, functional behaviour and stability of implanted (stem) cells.   

FIGURE 1. Application and most common uses of BLI in cancer research. (A) Evaluation of orthotopic tumour growth. Here shown are example images of orthotopic tumour model of colorectal carcinoma using the MC38-luc cell line. (B) Evaluation of orthotopic tumour growth. Here shown are example images of tumour progression in the breast cancer mouse model using the 4T1-luc cell line. (C) Evaluation of novel delivery methods. Following delivery of novel drug delivery vehicles such as LNPs, the BLI signal allows to discriminate the distribution between the liver and spleen, providing real-time biodistribution and delivery information of novel therapeutic agents over time.