Fig. 1

ASPH-mediated aggressive phenotypes are reversed in vitro by a small molecule inhibitor (SMI) specifically against its β-hydroxylase activity in pancreatic cancer cells. a Scheme of 3-D tumor spheroid invasion assay. b 3-D tumor spheroid invasion in response to SMI. c ECM degradation/remodeling in response to SMI. d 3-D pancreatosphere formation in response to SMI. e Scheme of in vitro metastasis assay of pancreatic cancer cells, which mimics local invasion (penetration through basement membrane) at the primary site, intravasation/extravasation, invasion into distant tissue, and eventual metastatic colonization/outgrowth at distant sites. f Transendothelial migration and intravasation/extravasation; g Invasion through basement membrane and subsequent pancreatosphere formation in response to SMI. ^*p < 0.05; ^**p < 0.01; ^***p < 0.001