Fig. 8. SKI-178 administration inhibits PC-3 xenograft growth in nude mice.

PC-3 xenograft-bearing nude mice were administrated with SKI-178 (intraperitoneal injection, 25 mg/kg body weight, daily for 18 days) or vehicle control (“Veh”); Tumor volumes (A) and mice body weights (D) were recorded every 6 days for a total of 42 days (“Day-0” to “Day-42”). Estimated daily tumor growth, in mm³ per day, was calculated as described (B). At “Day-42” all tumors were isolated and weighted (C). At Day-6 and Day-12, one tumor of each group was isolated carefully, and tumor tissues from the total four tumors were obtained; Each tumor was cut into five pieces, SphK activity (E), ceramide contents (F) and expression of listed mRNAs and proteins (G, H, K and L) as well as ATP contents (I) and TBAR activity (J) were tested. Alternatively, p-Akt (Ser-473) in the PC3 xenograft slides was tested by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining (M). “Veh” stands for vehicle control. Values represented the mean ± SD. *P < 0.05 versus “Veh” group.