Figure 6. Iron chelators suppressed the growth of CSC tumor allografts and suppressed stemness marker expression.

(A) miPS-LLCcm cells (1 × 10⁶ per animal) were implanted subcutaneously into the right back flank of mice and treatment commenced 5 days after tumor injection. Deferasirox and DFO (30 mg/kg locally, given by injection 5 days per week for 14 days) effectively inhibited the growth of miPS-LLCcm allografts in vivo. ^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.01. (B) Macroscopic images showed that tumors in both deferasirox and DFO groups were smaller than in the control group. (C) Tumor weight was significantly decreased in the deferasirox and DFO groups. Data are represented as average ± S.E.M. (n = 4). ^**p < 0.01. (D) Resected tumors were analyzed for Nanog and SOX2 expression by immunohistochemistry, and Fe³⁺ by Berlin blue staining. Nanog and SOX2 were suppressed in the deferasirox and DFO groups. Berlin blue staining was not detected in the deferasirox and DFO groups.