A Significant differences in tumor weights between control and trastuzumab-treated groups (p<0.00), control and combination trastuzumab/AMD3100-treated groups (p<0.00), trastuzumab and AMD3100-treated groups (p = 0.04), and AMD and combination trastuzumab/AMD3100-treated groups (p = 0.02). Although the effect of AMD3100 on the primary tumor weight was not as relevant as the effect of trastuzumab, a potent effect was achieved by AMD3100 treatment alone, compared to the untreated group. B MRI-based tumor volumetry confirmed the results of tumor weight. The tumor weights at time of autopsy correlated significantly with the volumetric measure by MRI (correlation coefficient: 0.837, p<0.01). C Micrometastases in liver and lung after treatment with AMD3100 and trastuzumab, were analysed by real-time PCR according to the level of human gapdh. AMD3100 and trastuzumab-treated mice showed with a mean delta-ct-value of −2 and −3 strong reductions in lung metastasis of 75 to nearly 100%. Additionally the trastuzumab-treated mice had a strong reduction in liver metastasis represented by a mean delta-ct-value of −3. The AMD3100/trastuzumab combination group had a reduced rate of lung (delta-ct −2), and liver (delta-ct −3) metastasis. D Disseminated tumor cells were detected by cytokeratin and HER2 immunhistochemical staining. Figure 3B shows a bone marrow sample. Human cell with a strong positivity for HER2 is detectable (red). * Due to space limitations, AMD3100 was abbreviated to AMD in
Figures 2a and c
.