Recent imaging developments based on both tumour morphology and tumour function make correct, precise, and reproducible measurement available.
The advantage of DW-MRI over other methods of monitoring response include its sensitivity to tumour function, good spatial resolution, and lack of radiation burden.
However, as with most mouse xenograft models, the stability of molecular profiles (gene expression and epigenetic) that regulate all aspects of tumour function remains to be determined.
Tumour function may also predict outcome, particularly in the setting of novel adjuvant therapies.
Prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) depends on both tumour extent and hepatic function reserve.
Many other staging systems, such as BCLC, CLIP, CUPI, and JIS, incorporate both tumour factor and hepatic function status to provide better prognostic stratification [ 3, 6, 8, 11].
There is substantial evidence to demonstrate that Smad signalling is important for TGF- β tumour suppression function, and neoplastic transformation is often associated with the loss of this tumour suppressor function.
Such displays provide unique insights into tumour structure, function and response.
Systematic differences in tumour IFP as a function of both tumour type and implantation site were observed, consistent with an effect of predetermined genetic factors and interactions between the tumour and host microenvironments in regulating IFP.
Accordingly, Wnt/β-catenin signalling can be promoted beyond the basal activated level caused by genetic alteration, and such promotion may have an important function in both tumour development and progression.
