Figure 6.

Effect of IL-6/sIL-6Rα on the outcome of PDT treatment of Colon26 tumour growth. Mice carrying Colon26 tumours were treated with 0.4 μmol kg⁻¹ HPPH and irradiated with 88 or 128 J cm⁻² at 14 mW cm⁻². Hyper-IL-6 (0.4 μg mouse⁻¹) was given, intra peritoneum, immediately and 48 h after PDT. sgp130 (5 μg mouse⁻¹) was given i.p. 30 min before and 3 h after PDT. Tumour growth was monitored for 60 days or until tumour reached a volume of 400 mm³. For clarity, data for controls have been combined (total of 36 animals); controls included untreated mice, mice with HPPH only and mice with HPPH+Hyper-IL-6 but no light. All experimental groups consisted of 10–15 mice. Results are reported as the percentage of animals with tumours <400 mm³. Animals whose tumours had not reached 400 mm³ by 60 days were considered cured.