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Figure 2 | Breast Cancer Research

Figure 2

From: Novel design principles enable specific targeting of imaging and therapeutic agents to necrotic domains in breast tumors

Figure 2

Macroscopic and microscopic features of large and small MDA-MB-231-RFP tumors. Small (about 100 mm3) and large (250 to 500 mm3) orthotopically-grafted MDA-MB-231-RFP tumors were excised at pre-defined time intervals from cell inoculation. (a) Macroscopic appearance of a cross section of a freshly excised large tumor. The bulk of the mass is composed of opaque, necrotic tissue, while the viable tissue is limited to the rim. (b) Subgross appearance of the tumor shown in (a). There is very good correlation between the macroscopic and microscopic features. The necrotic tissue in the center is partly surrounded by a rim of viable tissue. (c) Medium magnification of the boxed area in (b). The interface between necrotic (N) and viable (V) tissue is indicated with asterisks. (d) High magnification of a region at the interface between necrotic (N) and viable (V) tissues. The border between the two zones is marked by a black line. Areas with predominant karyolysis (1, pink tissue) and predominant karyorrhexis (2, granular basophilic nuclear debris) are identified. (e) Macroscopic appearance of a cross section of a freshly excised small tumor. The tissue is homogenous and there is no evidence of necrosis. (f) Subgross appearance of the small tumor shown in (e) at the same magnification as (b). (g) At slightly higher magnification, the homogenous appearance of the tumor is evident. (h) Boxed area - neoplastic viable cells; Arrowheads - mitotic structures.

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