Figure 1. Blocking α₅β₁-integrin in ovarian cancer cells inhibits metastasis in xenograft models.

(a) HeyA8 cells (1×10⁶) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) in nude mice which were randomized into 2 groups of 10/group receiving 10mg/kg human α₅β₁-integrin antibody (Hu α₅Ab) or control IgG. The effect of Hu α₅Ab on tumor weight was assessed on day 20. (b) SKOV3ip1 cells (1×10⁶) were similarly injected i.p. treatment started on day 8 and tumor weight and the number of metastases assessed on day 35. Representative images of SKOV3ip1 tumors stained for Ki-67 (x400). Images of sections from 5 mice were quantified (**p<0.01). (c) SKOV3ip1 cells (1×10⁶) were injected i.p. in nude mice randomized into 6 groups of 10 each and were treated with the indicated antibodies starting on day 8. Mice were euthanized on day 35 and the effect on tumor weight and number of metastases was assessed. (*p<0.001, **p<0.01,). (d) The effect of co-administering SKOV3ip1 cells with a single dose of Hu α₅Ab injected i.p. in mice (prevention) was compared with treatment of SKOV3ip1 tumor bearing mice starting 8 days after injection of cancer cells (intervention). The effect of treatment on tumor weight and number of metastases was measured. (e) A single dose of murine α₅Ab was co-injected with SKOV3ip1 cells i.p. in nude mice (prevention) and tumor weight and number of metastases was measured on day 35. (f) Kaplan-Meier curve for survival. SKOV3ip1 cells were injected i.p. and 10 mice/group were treated with the human α₅Ab or control IgG twice a week starting from day 8 (p<0.0001; log-rank test).