Expanding CAM Models: In Vivo PET/CT Imaging of Cancer Xenografts on the Ostrich CAM

Pomraenke M, Greiser J, Perkas O, Zehner LM, Wegner VD, Gassler N, Mosig AS, Hübner K, Schneider-Stock R, Ghaffari-Tabrizi-Wizsy N, Freesmeyer M (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

ACS Applied Bio Materials American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 9

Pages Range: 6718-6725

Journal Issue: 14

DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.6c00971

Abstract

Animal models are utilized in the investigation of a variety of research questions in nuclear medicine. Radiopharmaceutics are usually tested in mouse, rat or chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) models and visualisation of their biodistribution is performed using dedicated small-animal PET/CT scanners. However, the limited availability of such scanners represents a significant bottleneck in preclinical imaging. To address this limitation, we explored an alternative animal model compatible with clinical imaging systems. The ostrich chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was utilized as a platform for tumor xenografts, enabling imaging with a standard human PET/CT scanner. Growth conditions for tumor formation were established using human glioblastoma (U87) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. Tumor visualization was achieved using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), a widely used clinical PET tracer, and its pharmacodynamic behavior was assessed. Our findings demonstrate that the ostrich CAM tumor model is a feasible and efficient system for the rapid evaluation of diagnostic tracers. Importantly, tracer uptake and kinetics can be reliably assessed using a clinical PET/CT scanner. This approach highlights the potential of the ostrich embryonic model as a versatile and accessible preclinical platform for nuclear medicine research.

Authors with CRIS profile

Kerstin Hübner Professur für Experimentelle Tumorpathologie Regine Schneider-Stock Professur für Experimentelle Tumorpathologie

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Jena DE Germany (DE) Medizinische Universität Graz AT Austria (AT)

How to cite

APA:

Pomraenke, M., Greiser, J., Perkas, O., Zehner, L.M., Wegner, V.D., Gassler, N.,... Freesmeyer, M. (2026). Expanding CAM Models: In Vivo PET/CT Imaging of Cancer Xenografts on the Ostrich CAM. ACS Applied Bio Materials, 9(14), 6718-6725. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.6c00971

MLA:

Pomraenke, Marta, et al. "Expanding CAM Models: In Vivo PET/CT Imaging of Cancer Xenografts on the Ostrich CAM." ACS Applied Bio Materials 9.14 (2026): 6718-6725.

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