Figure 5
DHA inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth and metastasis, and sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to PDGFR inhibitor in vivo. (a, b) Representative images (a) and quantification bioluminescence (b) of A2780-luci bearing mice treated with DHA (10 mg kg−1 or 25 mg kg−1) or the vehicle (means±s.e.m.; *P<0.05. **P<0.01; n=8). (c) Representative bioluminescence images of different organs with metastatic or disseminated cancer cells. (d) Immunohistochemical staining of PDGFRα in the tumors after DHA treatment. (e) Western blot analysis showing the expression of PDGFRα, pAKT, pERK and EMT-related protein in tumors treated with DHA (25 mg kg−1) or the vehicle. The Arabic numbers indicate individual tumors. (f) The tumor growth in subcutaneous A2780 tumor bearing mice treated with DHA 30 mg kg day−1 (i.p.), Sorafinib 30 mg kg day−1 (intragastric administeration, i.g.), or the combination of the two. (g) The subcutaneous tumors were harvested and weighed. Data are shown as means±s.e.m. (n=5; *P<0.05, **P<0.05). DHA, dihydroartemisinin; PDGFR, platelet-derived growth factor receptor; EMT, epithelial–mesenchymal transition.
