Figure 2. Aurora kinase A inhibition has differential effects on T cells and MDSCs in vivo in HPV-positive tumor-bearing mice. (A–C) Groups of C57BL/6 mice were implanted with mEER cells (1×10⁶) subcutaneously on the flank and treated with alisertib (10 mg/kg) daily for 6 days starting at day 5 after tumor cell implantation (A) and monitored for tumor growth (weight) (B) and survival (C). (D–L) Changes in total CD8 T cells (D–F), HPV E7 antigen-specific CD8 T cells (G–I), and MDSCs (CD11b⁺ Gr-1⁺) (J–L) were monitored by flow cytometry at the indicated time points in the blood (day 18 for E7 and CD8 and day 13 for MDSCs) (E, H, K) and tumor (day 13 for MDSCs and day 25 for E7⁺ and CD8 cells) (F, I, L). Representative flow profiles for CD8 T cells (D), HPV E7 antigen-specific CD8 T cells (G), and MDSCs (J) in the blood from vehicle-treated and alisertib-treated mice are shown. The significance of differences was determined using an unpaired, two-tailed Student’s t-test. ns, p≤0.05*, ***p<0.009. HPV, human papillomavirus; MDSCs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells.