Cancer Cell Imaging
Cancer Cell Imaging - Related Videos
15:53
Cell Death Associated with Abnormal Mitosis Observed by Confocal Imaging in Live Cancer Cells
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Cited by 13 •
2013
The cytotoxic activity of the phenanthridine PJ-34 in cancer cells undergoing mitosis was documented in real time by live confocal imaging. PJ-34 eradicated human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells harboring extra-centrosomes in mitosis. Unlike normal bi-focal mitosis, the extra-centrosomes were not clustered in the two spindle poles in the presence of PJ-34.
09:36
Evaluation of Cancer Stem Cell Migration Using Compartmentalizing Microfluidic Devices and Live Cell Imaging
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Cited by 26 •
2011
A compartmentalizing microfluidic device for investigating cancer stem cell migration is described. This novel platform creates a viable cellular microenvironment and enables microscopic visualization of live cell locomotion. Highly motile cancer cells are isolated to study molecular mechanisms of aggressive infiltration, potentially leading to more effective future therapies.
08:45
Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging (CLI) for Cancer Therapy Monitoring
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Cited by 8 •
2012
Use of Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging (CLI) for monitoring preclinical cancer treatment is described here. This method takes advantage of Cerenkov Radiation (CR) and optical imaging (OI) to visualize radiolabeled probes and thus provides an alternative to PET in preclinical therapeutic monitoring and drug screening.
07:16
Isolation of Cancer Stem Cells From Human Prostate Cancer Samples
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Cited by 6 •
2014
The isolation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) directly from human tissues is requisite for their biological characterization. This manuscript describes a methodology for the isolation of prostate CSCs from human tissues, while also providing tips on troubleshooting difficult steps.
03:57
Preparation of Reporter-Expressing Cancer Cells for In Vivo Imaging
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2026
Source: Chen, H. et. al. Live Cell Imaging of the TGF-β/Smad3 Signaling Pathway In Vitro and In Vivo Using an Adenovirus Reporter System. J. Vis. Exp. (2018)This video demonstrates the preparation of luciferase-expressing breast cancer cells using recombinant adenoviruses for in vivo imaging.
FAQs
Different imaging signals expose different layers of cancer-cell biology. Bright-field microscopy supports observation of cellular appearance, while fluorescence can connect labeled biomarkers with molecular features. Intrinsic cellular signals provide another route for visualization without relying solely on added labels. Selecting the appropriate optical method and signal helps researchers relate visible cellular phenotypes to underlying disease mechanisms.
Morphological imaging shows how cancer cells appear and behave, whereas labeled fluorescence can associate those observations with specific molecular features. Combining the two perspectives helps researchers examine whether a visible phenotype corresponds to a biomarker pattern. This connection is valuable when studying tumor heterogeneity and when interpreting how cellular characteristics relate to disease mechanisms or treatment responses.
Time-lapse imaging adds a temporal dimension, allowing researchers to follow cell division, migration, and treatment responses in living cells. Instead of observing only a fixed phenotype, investigators can examine how that phenotype changes over time. This makes the approach useful for distinguishing dynamic behaviors, evaluating drug-induced changes, and linking cellular activity with disease-related processes.
Quantitative image analysis converts visual observations into measurements that can be compared across cells or experimental conditions. In combination with quantitative microscopy, it supports reproducible assessment of cellular morphology, behavior, molecular features, invasion, and treatment-induced changes. These measurements help reduce reliance on subjective interpretation and strengthen the evaluation of phenotypes relevant to cancer mechanisms and therapy.
A study first aligns the imaging approach with the feature being investigated, such as morphology, molecular markers, intrinsic signals, or behavior over time. Researchers then acquire optical images or time-lapse data from living cells when dynamic responses are important, followed by image analysis and quantitative microscopy. The resulting measurements can be used to compare phenotypes, invasion, or treatment effects.
Imaging allows researchers to examine differences among malignant cells rather than treating a tumor population as uniform. By visualizing cellular features and analyzing behavior, investigators can quantify variation and assess invasion-related phenotypes. These observations help connect distinct cellular states with disease mechanisms and can clarify why cancer-cell populations may respond differently within the same research model.
The approach is useful when researchers need to observe how treatment changes cancer cells, either through visible cellular alterations or through altered behavior over time. Time-lapse measurements can track responses in living cells, while image analysis can quantify drug-induced changes. These outcomes support therapeutic evaluation and may help connect treatment-sensitive phenotypes with broader cancer biology.
By linking cellular phenotypes with molecular features, behavior, and interactions with surrounding tissue, imaging provides measurements that can inform diagnosis research. Quantitative results also support comparison of tumor characteristics and treatment responses. In cancer research, these data can contribute to efforts to evaluate therapies and develop more individualized treatment strategies based on observed cellular properties.