Figure 4.

PLGA-PTX inhibits tumor spheroid cell migration and invasion.

Notes: Colorectal cancer cells (HCT116) were cultured in an ultra-low attachment plate to form tumor spheroids, and this was followed by treatment with low concentration of PLGA-PTX in culture medium over time. (A) The tumor cell migration away from tumor spheroids in the absence or presence of 10 ng/mL of PLGA-PTX was recorded using an inverted microscope. Scale bar, 100 μm. (B) The migration areas were measured and presented as the fold change relative to the areas at 0 h. (C) The invasion of tumor cells that disseminated from spheroids into the matrigel matrix was imaged using an inverted microscope. Scale bar, 100 μm. *P<0.05; **P<0.01; ***P<0.001.

Abbreviations: PLGA, poly lactic-co-glycolic acid; PTX, paclitaxel; PLGA-PTX, paclitaxel-loaded PLGA; PBS, phosphate buffer saline.