To compare the effect of bioluminescent imaging and small animal PET/CT imaging technology in breast cancer mouse model, and to find a suitable molecular imaging method for the evaluation of breast cancer model.

Luc expressing 4T1 cell was inoculated into the second mammary fat pad on the left side of normal BALB/c mice to establish the tumor models, and then tumor growth was assessed by bioluminescent imaging and small animal PET/CT. PET/CT images were analyzed through IRW (Inveon Research Workplace) to find out region-of-interest.

The procedure of bioluminescent imaging was relatively simpler than small-animal PET/CT. The tumors could be detected by bioluminescent imaging in a short time, and there was high uptake of ¹⁸F-FDG in the tumor with small-animal PET/CT. ¹⁸F-FDG absorption time was 30-60 min with radiation, and fluorescein potassium salt absorption time was 3-5 min without radiation. Small-animal PET/CT imaging costed 20 min, but bioluminescent imaging just needed 3 min. Resolution of small-animal PET/CT and bioluminescent imaging was <1 mm and 1-10 mm respectively. PET/CT was a 3D imaging, while the bioluminescent imaging was 2D imaging.

Bioluminescent imaging is better in specificity, simplicity in operation, shorter image acquisition time, cheaper, without radioaction, and can detect cell survival state. Small animal PET/CThas the advantage of high resolution, accurate location, three-dimensional image and cell metabolism monitoring.