Change in CTC dynamics after punch biopsy.

<p>(A) Profile plot of CTC detection rates number of CTCs per a minute measured weekly from six mice inoculated with breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-LUC2-GFP) during the eight weeks after tumor inoculation. Punch biopsy was performed at week 2 after tumor inoculation. (B) Profile plot over time of the average number of CTC signals per minute and average of the tumor volume during the same eight weeks. Values and error bars represent the averages and SDs of CTC counts from n = 6 mice. The average of CTC rate per 8 weeks was calculated for five mice at week 3, three mice at week 5 and two mice at week 7. (C) Individual tumor volumes from six mice. Punch biopsy was performed at week 2 after tumor inoculation. (D) Profile plot of the average number of CTC signals per minute from 60 min before and 120 min after the punch biopsy, showing a 1.82-fold increase in the CTC-detection rate (P = 0.02). (E) Image of the tumor after a punch biopsy.