Growth-inhibiting effects of taxol on human liver cancer in vitro and in nude mice

Figure 1 Effect of paclitaxel on SMMC-7721 cell growth.

Figure 2 Effects of taxol on ³H-thymidine, ³H-uridine and ³H-leucine incorporation.

Figure 3 Morphological changes of SMMC-7721 cells observed by light microscope after treatment with taxol for different times. (A) Untreated cells; (B) SMMC-7721 cells got round, diopter-enhanced after exposure to 10 nmol/L taxol for 24 h; (C) SMMC-7721 cells detached and blebbed after exposure to 10 nmol/L taxol for 48 h. × 400.

Figure 4 Ultrastructures of SMMC-7721 cells with or without treatment by taxol. Following 24 h treatment of taxol, cells presented more mitotic Figure (B 7680 ×). For 48 h, the cells appeared with regularly shaped crescents (C 7680 ×). The nuclei of untreated cells were very irregular in shape, with many gulfs and protrusions. (A 5760 ×)

Figure 5 Effect of taxol on SMMC-7721 human hepatom a in nude mice.

Figure 6 Histological changes of SMMC-7721 tumors after taxol treatment. (A) untreated control; (B) 2 mg/kg taxol, i.p. once daily for 10 d. Only slight morphological changes were presented; (C) 10 mg/kg taxol, i.p. once daily for 10 d. Most cells showed apoptotic changes and many apoptotic bodies were presented. Apoptosis were widespread. Apoptotic bodies were the small ovoid structures; (D) 24 h after i.p. injection of 10 mg/kg taxol. Mitotic arrest was marked; (E) 72 h after i.p. injection of 10 mg/kg taxol. Mitotic arrest could still be presented with more apoptotic cells; (F) 120 h after i.p. injection of 10 mg/kg taxol. Apoptosis was dominant phenomenon than ever before. Hematoxylin and eosin. × 400