Fig. 9

Acetazolamide does not substantially influence cancer cell proliferative activity, tumor blood flow or tumor vascularization. A + B Exemplary images (A) and quantified Ki67 index (B, n = 14–15) in slices of breast carcinomas from mice treated with acetazolamide (ATZ) or vehicle. Scale bar represents 50 µm, and both images are at the same magnification. C + D Blood flow responses in breast cancer tissue (C) and the vasculature to the lower limb (D) during intraperitoneal injection of acetazolamide or vehicle (n = 5–6). E Blood flow responses in breast cancer tissue and the vasculature to the lower limb during intraperitoneal injection of the α₁-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (n = 5). F + G Expression of α₁-adrenoceptors in breast cancer tissue compared to normal breast tissue (F, n = 92–5574) and in breast cancer tissue of increasing malignancy grade (G, n = 82–446). Data from the GPL96 and GPL570 platforms were extracted from the GENT2 database [38]. H-J Exemplary images and quantification of CD105-positive tumor vessels in slices of breast cancer tissue (n = 9–10). Scale bar represents 50 µm, both images are at the same magnification. Data in panel B, F, I, and J were compared by unpaired two-tailed Student’s t tests. Data in panel E were compared by repeated-measures two-way ANOVA. Data in panel G were compared by one-way ANOVA for trend followed by Holm–Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons (see Additional file 1: Table S5 for details). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, NS: not significantly different vs. vehicle (panel B, I, and J), lower limb (E), normal tissue (panel F), or across malignancy grades as indicated (panel G)