In vivo tumor xenograft model

BALB/c nude mice (male; age, 3-4 weeks; body weight, 12-14g) were purchased from Beijing HFK Bioscience. Mice were maintained in a pathogen-free environment (relative humidity, 60% ± 5%; temperature, 22 ± 2°C) with a light / darkness cycle of 12 h/12h. The mice were allowed free access to common chow diet and water in the Center of Animals in Tongji Hospital. All in-vivo experiments were performed in adherence to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of Tongji Medical College. HCC cells (5×10⁶) were suspended in PBS (0.1 mL) and injected subcutaneously into the mice from the flank of both sides at the dorsal region to establish a hepatoma xenograft model. Tumor size was monitored by measuring the length (L) and width (W) with digital caliper, and tumor volume (V) was calculated based on the equation V = 1/2 × L × W². On the 21^st day, the mice were injected with luciferin (150 mg/kg) in the intraperitoneal cavity. The tumors were observed using a Lago X imaging system (SI Imaging) about 5 minutes post luciferin injection, excised and weighed.