# Four-panel figure: tumour growth and survival in vivo

> An in vivo efficacy figure: the dosing schedule on a timeline, tumour volume over time for three groups (mean ± SEM), Kaplan–Meier survival with a log-rank test, and body weight as a measure of tolerability.

- Page: https://www.labcanvas.com/templates/multipanel/four-panel-figure-tumour-growth-survival-vivo
- Open in the LabCanvas editor (LabCanvas account): https://www.labcanvas.com/editor.html?template=multipanel-in-vivo-tumour-efficacy
- Updated: 2026-10-14
- Category: Multipanel figures
- Method: Worked examples
- Product: A 2 × 2 figure (a–d) for a preclinical efficacy study
- Key result: Example data (exponential growth with treatment effects, exponential survival times); not from a study
- Figure: 691.65 × 373.54 px, 46 editable layers (3 generated objects with settings)

## Steps

1. **a · Schedule**: Tumour implantation, randomisation and dosing days on one timeline
2. **b · Tumour volume**: Mean ± SEM per group over time
3. **c · Survival**: Kaplan–Meier curves with censor ticks and a log-rank test, computed in the graph
4. **d · Body weight**: Change from day 0, a quick read of tolerability

## Strengths

- The panels reviewers look for in an efficacy study
- Survival statistics computed from the table

## Limitations

- Example values only

## Uses

- Cancer nanomedicine and drug papers
- Grant figures

## References

1. Weissgerber, Milic, Winham & Garovic, “Beyond bar and line graphs: time for a new data presentation paradigm”, PLoS Biol. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002128 (review)
2. Rougier, Droettboom & Bourne, “Ten simple rules for better figures”, PLoS Comput. Biol. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003833 (review)

Credit: Example data generated for this template. Replace it with your own.

## Questions

**What does the “Four-panel figure: tumour growth and survival in vivo” template show?** An in vivo efficacy figure: the dosing schedule on a timeline, tumour volume over time for three groups (mean ± SEM), Kaplan–Meier survival with a log-rank test, and body weight as a measure of tolerability.

**What are the steps shown in “Four-panel figure: tumour growth and survival in vivo”?** 1. a · Schedule: Tumour implantation, randomisation and dosing days on one timeline. 2. b · Tumour volume: Mean ± SEM per group over time. 3. c · Survival: Kaplan–Meier curves with censor ticks and a log-rank test, computed in the graph. 4. d · Body weight: Change from day 0, a quick read of tolerability.

**Which papers is “Four-panel figure: tumour growth and survival in vivo” based on?** Weissgerber, Milic, Winham & Garovic, “Beyond bar and line graphs: time for a new data presentation paradigm”, PLoS Biol. 2015 (doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002128); Rougier, Droettboom & Bourne, “Ten simple rules for better figures”, PLoS Comput. Biol. 2014 (doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003833).

**Can I edit the “Four-panel figure: tumour growth and survival in vivo” template?** Yes. Open it in the LabCanvas editor: all 46 layers are editable, including 3 generated objects (structures, plots, equipment) with their own settings. Change the text, colours and layout, then export PNG, TIFF, SVG or PDF.

**Do I need an account to use this template?** Not to view it here. To open and edit it, sign in to LabCanvas or create a free account (the free plan keeps up to 3 designs). Downloading the figure is part of LabCanvas Pro (US$19 a month or US$199 a year).