Fig. 9

Cell viability/cytotoxicity in 3- and 7-day HCT116 3D spheroids. Cell viability/cytotoxicity evaluation of the different samples tested after 9 h of c-MYC silencing via LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity assay in (a) 3-day spheroids and (b) 7-day spheroids. The seven conditions tested were normalised to untreated cells (Control). Statistical differences were observed between AuNP@PEG + Laser and AuNP@c-MYC + Laser with control in 3-day spheroids. Black asterisks indicate statistical differences between samples and the Control (*p < 0.05; ns not statistically significant; Unpaired parametric t test with Welch’s correction). Data represents the mean value ± the standard error mean of two biologically independent experiments with three technical replicates each. c Calcein AM/EthD-1 fluorescence microscopy images of control and AuNP@c-MYC + Laser in 3-day spheroids. Scale bars correspond to 300 μm. d Same as c) in 7-day spheroid