Figure 5.

AZD1480 and gemcitabine treatment does not alter stromal density. (A) Tumors from PKT mice treated with vehicle, AZD1480, Gem, or AZD1480/Gem were stained for collagen IV, trichrome Blue, and hyaluronan binding protein (BP) (Scale bars=0.5 mm). (B) Quantitative analysis of collagen IV, trichrome blue, and hyaluronan BP revealed no significant difference in collagen or hyaluronan density after any treatment. (C) Stromal effects of STAT3 knock down (Sh-STAT3). Sh-Scram and Sh-STAT3 PANC1 cells were injected into the flanks of Fox1-nu/nu mice and harvested when mice were euthanized. Trichrome blue stain was performed and collagen density was calculated by quantifying collagen staining and shows now difference between the two groups. (D) Magnetization Transfer (MT)-MRI was utilized to follow the longitudinal effects of combined AZD1480/Gem treatment on stromal fibrosis. Representative T2-MRI and MT-MRI images of 7-week-old PKT mice are shown. A region of interest (ROI) circumscribing the pancreas was determined for each axial slice, and tumor size (E) and mean magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) (F) were calculated at each time point. ROI’s (yellow dashed line in T2 axial images, top panels, and a black dashed line MT axial images, bottom panels) show a clear decrease in tumor volume with AZD1480/Gem treatment, but no effect on MTR. Int – intestine; K – kidney; S – stomach; Sp – spleen; T – tumor.