Figure 3: CRC tumour cell extravasation and metastasis in livers.

(a) Schematic model of MC38 tumour cell implantation in spleen and liver metastasis and treatment schemes. (b) Histological analysis of extravasation of GFP⁺ tumour cells in livers received on- and off-anti-VEGF therapy. Arrowheads point to extravasated tumour cells. Scale bar in upper panel, 100 μm. Scale bar in upper panel, 25 μm. Data were quantified from nine random fields per group. (c,d) Representative mouse pictures of various groups subjected to luminescent imaging analysis of luciferase activity in metastatic cancers. Red arrowheads point to luciferase positivity. Data were quantified from 6 mice per group. (e,f). Representative liver micrographs subjected to luminescent luciferase activity analysis (n=6 animals per group). Red arrowheads point to luciferase positivity. H&E histological analysis of liver metastasis. Dashed lines mark the borders between tumour and liver tissues. L, liver; T, tumour. Scale bar in lower panels, 25 μm. Quantifications of liver luciferase activity (n=6 animals per group). (g,h) Quantifications of visible surface liver metastatic nodules (n=6 animals per group). OFF, off-drug; ON, on-drug. (mean±s.e.m., Student’s t-test).