Estrogen causes proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. Although hormone therapy with an anti-estrogen agent is an optional therapy for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancers, both basic and clinical researches are insufficient.
We here examine the efficacy of an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for peritonitis carcinomatosa, the late stage of ovarian cancer.
Methods:
Estrogen receptor (ER)alpha was assayed in four ovarian cancer cell lines by the RT-PCR method. Using ovariectomized nude mice, peritonitis carcinomatosa consisting of OVCAR-3 cells with the strongest ERalpha expression or DISS cells with weaker ERalpha expression was prepared.
The survival period was compared between the letrozole group (5 mg/kg/day orally; n = 10) and the control group (n = 10). In addition, the degree of angiogenesis and occurrence of apoptosis were compared using tumor tissue from the abdominal cavity.
The expression of aromatase and the protein involving in ERalpha signaling were examined in tumors immunohistochemically.
Results:
Survival period in OVCAR-3 tumors was significantly prolonged in the letrozole group, compared with the control group (P
The incidence of apoptosis did not differ significantly between these groups. No adverse event was observed accompanying the administration of letrozole.
The expressions of aromatase, ERalpha and FOXP1 that is associated with ERalpha signaling were reduced in tumors by letrozole administration.
Conclusions:
Letrozole was effective for ovarian cancers with abundant expression of ERalpha. Inhibition of angiogenesis and of ascites production appeared to contribute to prolongation of the survival period.
Author: Hachidai HirakawaYoshihito YokoyamaHidemi YoshidaHideki Mizunuma
Credits/Source: Journal of Ovarian Research 2014, 7:4
Published on: 2014-01-10
Tweet
News Provider: EUPB – European Press Bureau
Social Bookmarking
RETWEET This! | Digg this! | Post to del.icio.us | Post to Furl | Add to Netscape | Add to Yahoo! | Rojo
There are no comments available. Be the first to write a comment.