Figure 4.

In vivo pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and tumor targeting capability of DOX/DiD-labeled micelles in mice. Pharmacokinetics (A) and biodistribution data (B) of free DOX and DOX-labeled micelles given intravenously at a dose of 10 mg kg^–1 in BALB/c mice (n = 5). In vivo (C) and ex vivo (D) NIRF optical images of U-87 MG tumor-bearing mice injected intravenously with free DiD dye and DiD-labeled micelles. At 48 h post-injection, tumors and major organs were harvested for ex vivo imaging, and the corresponding fluorescence intensities were quantified (n = 3). (E) The microscopic distribution of free DiD and DiD-labeled micelles in tumor sections. The nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue). Scale bar: 100 μm. Data represent mean ± SD. *p < .05 **p < .01 analyzed by Student’s t-test or two-way ANOVA.