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Figure 4. Monitoring of distant metastases of breast tumor cells in nude mice treated with conventional or combination photodynamic therapy (PDT). 4T1 murine breast carcinoma cells were implanted in the breast fat pad of nude mice, and distant metastases were monitored by bioluminescence signals originating from metastatic sites using an in vivo imaging system instrument. Metastatic spread of 4T1 tumor cells (3 weeks post PDT) in mice representing (A) vehicle only; (B) capecitabine (CPBN) only; (C) vehicle + PDT; and (D) CPBN + PDT are shown. Observed organ sites of metastases, including lymph nodes (LN), lung (Lng), spleen (Sp) and skin (Sk) are indicated. Note the significant reduction in the incidence of metastases in CPBN + PDT treated mice