Fig. 4: P2X7 and A2A blockade reduces in vivo dissemination of CRC cells and systemic levels of IL-17 and IL-23.

Mice were injected intravenously with CT26 Luc2 cells and treated intraperitoneally with placebo, the P2X7 antagonist AZ10606120 (2 mg/Kg), the A2A antagonist SCH58261 (1 mg/Kg), or both drugs every three days. A Quantification of photon emission, expressed as total flux (p/s), on day 14 from the inoculum (n = 6) B Representative images of photon emission at day 14 from the inoculum. C Area of metastasis expressed as a percentage of total lung area (n = 6). Representative hematoxylin/eosin staining of lungs from mice treated with D placebo, E the P2X7 antagonist AZ10606120 (2 mg/Kg), F the A2A antagonist SCH58261 (1 mg/Kg), and G combination of the two drugs. Black arrows indicate metastatic lesions. Systemic levels of H IL-17 (n = 6) and I IL-23 (n = 4) were measured in the plasma of tumor-bearing mice. Systemic levels of J IL-17 (n = 4) and K IL-23 (n = 4) measured in the plasma of mice not injected with tumor cells but treated only with placebo, AZ10606120 (2 mg/Kg), SCH58261 (1 mg/Kg), or both compounds.*p < 0.05, **p < 0.001, ***p < 0.0001, ****p < 0.00001.