Fig. 4: The IDTR strategy decreases tumor growth in xenograft models.

A Real-time PCR results showed the expression of GAU1 in SW620 and LOVO cells following GAU1 ASO transfection. Data were presented as the mean ± SD and the differences between two groups were calculated by unpaired two-tailed t-test. N = 3, ****P < 0.0001, ***P < 0.001 and **P < 0.01 compared with negative control (NC). B Treatment model of transplanted tumor in mice. When the tumor volume reached 100–150 mm³, the mice were randomly assigned to four groups. The first group was injected with PBS only as a placebo, the second group was injected with H101 alone, the third group was injected with GAU1 ASO alone, and the fourth group was injected with H101 combined with GAU1 ASO. All groups were administered according to a 3-day schedule. The single-drug group received intra-tumor injections once every 3 days; the combined group received intra-tumor injection of GAU1 ASO on day 1 and H101 on day 2. The treatment lasted for a total of 30 days, starting from tumor inoculation, and the mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation after 50 days. C Average volume of subcutaneous tumors after treatment with PBS (Cycle), GAU1-ASO (Square), H101 (Triangle), or H101 + GAU1-ASO (Inverted triangle) was assessed. Values represented the means ± SD for five animals per group and the differences between two groups were calculated by unpaired two-tailed t-test. N = 3, ***P < 0.001 and **P < 0.01. D Bar graphs showed the weight of allograft tumors in mice that were treated with PBS (Cycle), H101(Square), GAU1-ASO (Inverted triangle), and H101 + GAU1-ASO (Triangle), respectively (N = 5). Data were presented as the mean ± SD and the differences between two groups were calculated by unpaired two-tailed t-test. N = 3, ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01 and *P < 0.05. E Mice xenograft tumors were photographed. After tumor cells were injected into the armpit of mice, they were treated every three days according to the tumor groups and treatment methods. Negative control cells were injected with PBS as described above. After 30 days, the mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation and photographed.