Figure 5.

CSA-targeted DNPs inhibited primary tumor growth in mice after systemic administration. (A) IVIS analysis of Fluc-GFP-JEG3 tumor growth in mice receiving different treatments at the indicated time points. At day 2 after the xenograft implantation, the mice (n = 5) received an intravenous injection of different nanoparticles (10 mg/kg DOX equivalent); these injections were repeated every other day. (B) Quantification of the total photon flux in mice (from A) at day 18 after the xenograft (data represent the means ± SD, n = 5, **p < .01). (C) Caliper measurements of the xenograft volume in mice after the intravenous injection of PBS, free DOX, the DNPs, SCR-DNPs, or CSA-DNPs were repeated every other day (data represent the means ± SD, n = 5). No tumors were observed in the CSA-DNP group. (D) Kaplan–Meier’s survival curve comparison of tumor-bearing mice treated with PBS, free DOX, the DNPs, SCR-DNPs, or CSA-DNPs. The mice were sacrificed when they reached their humane endpoint. Statistical significance (**p < .01) was calculated using the Chi² log-rank test of free DOX, the DNPs, SCR-DNPs, and CSA-DNPs compared with PBS. (E) Change in the body weight of mice bearing Fluc-GFP-JEG3 tumors receiving different treatments (means ± SD, n = 5). No significant difference among the various treatment groups was observed at any time point.