Figure 10.

Preliminary efficacy study results (N = 5). (A) Tumor growth curves. At day 1 (average tumor size: 100 mm³), U87 MG s.c. tumor-bearing mice were divided into the following four groups: (1) PBS control, (2) starch–IONPs + PTT (starch–IONPs: 24 mg Fe/kg), (3) PEG–starch–IONPs (24 mgFe/kg), and (4) PEG–starch–IONPs + PTT (PEG–starch–IONPs: 24 mg Fe/kg). For groups two and four, at 4 h post-administration, a laser was irradiated for 10 min at the tumor region (at a power of 0.9 W). The study was continued until the average tumor size of the control group reached above 1000 mm³ (day 9). (B) Comparison of the tumor sizes at day 9. The statistically significant differences in the tumor sizes were compared by one-way ANOVA (Tukey’s multiple comparison test as the post hoc test). ** p < 0.01. (PTT: photothermal treatment).