Fig. 5

Treatment response by histological examinations. a Tumor size measured from micrographic images of H&E-stained liver/tumor tissues acquired at low magnification. Data are presented as mean ± SD. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01 (Student’s t test). b–e Representative low magnification (12.5X) photomicrographs of H&E-stained tumor tissues indicating response after treatments with Dox@HAuNS + laser. b Untreated tumor from a control rabbit. A well-demarcated tumor (t) is surrounded by a layer of inflammation and fibrosis (arrow), has marked central necrosis (n), and compresses adjacent liver (l). c, d Demonstrating partial destruction of tumors from a treated rabbit. Note the areas of necrotic tumor and liver parenchyma with residual tumor (arrows). e Demonstrating complete destruction of a tumor along with ischemic necrosis of adjacent liver (n) from another treated rabbit. Only nodules of inflammation and scar tissue (s) remain. Bars = 2 mm