Figure 2
Effect of paclitaxel (PTX) on ZD6126-induced necrosis parallels tumour response. (A) MDA-MB-435 cells were xenografted in nude mice. When the tumours reached approximately 450 mg. mice were treated i.v. with PTX (20 mg kg−1) given 2, 24, 72 h, and 1 week prior to ZD6126 (200 mg kg−1 i.p.). Twenty-four hours after ZD6126 treatment tumours were excised, sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and the percentage of necrotic area calculated as described in Materials and Methods section. Columns indicate the median value. *P=0.01 compared to ZD6126 alone (ANOVA followed by Bonferroni/Dunn post hoc test). (B and C) Mice bearing MDA-MB-435 tumours (approximately 450 mg) were treated with PTX (20 mg kg−1 i.v.) 24 h (B) or 72 h (C) before ZD6126 (200 mg kg−1 i.p.). Mice received weekly cycles of treatment for four courses. n=6. Black (PTX) and white (ZD6126) arrowheads indicate treatments. CR=complete remission (cured mice, remaining disease free for at least 4 weeks after the end of treatment).
