Figure 4.

Inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 blocked cell proliferation, invasion, and cancer stem-like properties in Eca-109 ON cells. (A) Microscopy of cell cloning of Eca-109 CON and ON cells with or without anti-IL-6 (N  +  S31 to 201) (upper panel: bright-field; lower panel: staining with Crystal Violet solution.) (B) Spheroid bodies derived from Eca-109 CON and ON cells with or without anti-IL-6 (N  +  S31 to 201). (C) Invasive ability of Eca-109 CON and ON cells with or without anti-IL-6 (N  +  S31 to 201) that were stained and photographed (100 × ). (D) Columnar analysis diagram of Eca-109 CON and ON cells with or without anti-IL-6 (N  +  S31 to 201). Cell numbers (left); spheroid body formation rate (center); and number of cells passing through the Matrigel (right) (**P < .01; ***P < .001).

Abbreviations: STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; IL-6, interleukin 6.