Fig. 1

TNF-α sensitized cytotoxicity of docetaxel (DOC), 5-flurouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (DDP) against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. a–c Dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity of docetaxel (DOC) (a), 5-flurouracil (5-FU) (b) and cisplatin (DDP) (c). **P < 0.01 indicated significant differences from the respective control groups. d–f Enhanced cytotoxicity of docetaxel (DOC) (d), 5-flurouracil (5-FU) (e) and cisplatin (DDP) (f) with combined treatment of TNF-α (5 ng/ml). *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 indicated significant differences from the respective control groups; ^# P < 0.05 and ^## P < 0.01 indicated significant differences from the TNF-α (5 ng/ml) treated groups; ^&& P < 0.01 indicated significant differences between folds induction. g, h TNF-α (20 ng each injection, intratumorally, every 3 days) strengthened growth inhibition effect of docetaxel (DOC, 2 mg/kg, intravenously, every 3 days), 5-flurouracil (5-FU, 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, everyday) and cisplatin (DDP, 2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, every 3 days) against breast cancer xenografts in vivo. g Image of stripped xenografts. h Tumor weight of each group. **P < 0.01 indicated significant differences from control group; ^## P < 0.01 indicated significant differences from TNF-α treated group; ^&& P < 0.01 indicated significant differences between folds induction