Figure 6.

STAT3 inhibition sensitizes SW837 cells to chemoradiotherapy in vivo. (a) Tumor size was measured thrice weekly to calculate the respective tumor volume during the administration of 5-FU and radiation therapy. While the tumor volume of DMSO-treated mice (n = 10) remained relatively stable, the tumor volume of STATTIC-treated mice (n = 12) decreased significantly over time (P = 0.046, linear mixed effects model). (b) With respect to the body weight, there was no significant difference between both groups. (c) All mice were monitored until the tumor volume exceeded 900 mm³ (start volume ×2). Tumor regrowth was significantly delayed in STATTIC-treated mice compared with control animals (P = 2.8 10⁻⁶, linear mixed effects model). (d) Kaplan–Meier curves were calculated to evaluate a potential survival benefit for mice under STATTIC treatment. The median survival for the DMSO group was 45.5 days, compared to 64.0 days for the STATTIC group, indicating a clear survival benefit for STATTIC-treated mice (P = 0.0137; hazard ratio = 0.33, 95% confidence interval: 0.13–0.83).