Figure 5. Verteporfin and dasatinib co-operated to reduce the number of leukemia cells in vivo.

A. Schematic presentation of the treatment schedule. NOG mice transplanted with PhLO cells were treated with vehicle, verteporfin, dasatinib, or both from days 22 to 28, as indicated. B. Leukemia cell number reductions in the spleen after the treatment with verteporfin and dasatinib. The leukemia cell ratio in spleen cells was analyzed using a flow cytometer with anti-human CD19 antibodies. Leukemia cell ratios in all mice were plotted. Single therapies with verteporfin and dasatinib significantly reduced the leukemia cell ratio. C. Leukemia cell number reductions in the bone marrow after the treatment with verteporfin and dasatinib. The leukemia cell ratio in bone marrow cells was analyzed as in B.. The combination therapy showed significantly enhanced effects, indicating synergistic effects between verteporfin and dasatinib in vivo. D. Comparison of in vivo effect of verteporfin among 4 PDX models. NOG mice were transplanted with the indicated PDX cells were treated with vehicle or verteporfin as in A.. Leukemia cell ratio in spleen was analyzed as in B.. **: p < 0.001, *: p < 0.05. The horizontal line is the mean of measurements. Abbreviations, i.v.: intravenous injection; c.s.c.: continuous subcutaneous injection; i.p.: intraperitoneal injection.