Fig. 5

Tumor metastasis inhibition by SDT with Zr-TCPP(TPP)/R837@M combined anti-CTLA-4 therapy on the 4T1 orthotopic breast tumor metastasis model. a Schematic illustration of our experimental design by using Zr-TCPP(TPP)/R837@M-based SDT combined anti-CTLA-4 therapy to inhibit orthotopic cancer metastasis. FLuc-4T1 cells were inoculated into the breast pad of each mouse to establish the orthotopic murine breast cancer. Six days later, fLuc-4T1 cells were i.v. injected into each mouse to trigger whole-body spreading of cancer cells. b In vivo bioluminescence images to track the spreading and growth of fLuc-4T1 cancer cells in different groups of mice after various treatments to eliminate their primary orthotopic tumors. c Representative photographs to show the gross appearance of tumour nodules in the lungs. d Morbidity free survival of different groups of mice with metastatic 4T1 tumors after various treatments indicated to eliminate their primary orthotopic tumors (n = 5). Statistical significance was calculated by Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. P-value: *, P < 0.05;**, P < 0.01