Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40517176›Full record

ArticleEuropean radiology experimental2025

Quantitative response assessment of combined immunotherapy in a murine melanoma model using multiparametric MRI.

Maurice M Heimer, Amra Cimic, Sandra Kloiber-Langhorst, Melissa J Antons, Jennifer Stueckl, Heidrun Hirner-Eppeneder, Wolfgang G Kunz, Olaf Dietrich, Jens Ricke, Felix L Herr and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European radiology experimental, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Maurice M HeimerDepartment of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. maurice.heimer@med.uni-muenchen.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0940-0161
Amra CimicDepartment of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Sandra Kloiber-LanghorstDepartment of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Melissa J AntonsDepartment of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Jennifer StuecklDepartment of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Heidrun Hirner-EppenederDepartment of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Wolfgang G KunzDepartment of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Olaf DietrichDepartment of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Jens RickeDepartment of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Felix L Herr *Department of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Clemens C Cyran *Department of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWe assessed immunotherapy response in a murine melanoma model using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) features with ex vivo immunohistochemical validation.

methodsMurine melanoma cells (B16-F10) were inoculated into the subcutaneous flank of n = 28 C57BL/6 mice (n = 14 therapy; n = 14 control). Baseline mpMRI was acquired on day 7 at 3 T. The immunotherapy group received three intraperitoneal injections of anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies on days 7, 9, and 11 after inoculation. Controls received a volume equivalent placebo. Follow-up mpMRI was performed on day 12. We assessed tumor volume, diffusion-weighted imaging parameters, including the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and dynamic-contrast-enhanced metrics, including plasma volume and plasma flow. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL; CD8+), cell proliferation (Ki-67), apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling, TUNEL), and microvascular density (CD31+) were assessed in a validation cohort of n = 24 animals for time-matched ex vivo validation.

resultsAn increase in tumor volume was observed in both groups (p ≤ 0.004) without difference at follow-up (p = 0.630). A lower ADC value was observed in the immunotherapy group at follow-up (p = 0.001). Immunohistochemistry revealed higher TUNEL values (p < 0.001) and CD8+ TILs (p = 0.048) following immunotherapy, as well as lower tumor cell Ki-67 values (p < 0.001) and microvascular density/CD31+ (p < 0.001).

conclusionLower tumor ADC, paired with higher intratumoral expression of CD8+ TIL, was observed five days after immunotherapy, suggestive of early immunological response. Ex vivo immunohistochemistry confirmed the antitumoral efficacy of immunotherapy. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Compared to tumor size, diffusion-weighted MRI demonstrated potential for early response assessment to immunotherapy in a murine melanoma model, which could reflect changes in the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration. KEY POINTS: No difference in tumor volume was observed between groups before and after therapy. Lower ADC values paired with increased CD8+ TILs were observed following immunotherapy. Ex vivo immunohistochemistry confirmed antitumoral efficacy of anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy.

Indexed as

ImmunotherapyMelanoma, ExperimentalMultiparametric Magnetic Resonance ImagingAnimalsDisease Models, AnimalFemaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLImmunotherapyMelanomaMice (inbred C57BL)Multiparametric magnetic resonance imagingTumor microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID40517176
PMCPMC12167185

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.