Abstract
The aromatase inhibitor 10-propargylestr-4-ene-3,17-dione (PED) has been evaluated in vivo as an anticancer agent. Prolonged administration of PED to rats bearing dimethylbenzanthracene-induced mammary tumors resulted in significant regression of hormone-responsive tumors within several days. Greater than 50% regression was generally observed after 14 days of treatment, irrespective of dose (1, 5, or 50mg/kg body weight/day). In addition to tumor regression, a significantly increased incidence in tumor stasis was observed over the course of PED treatment. While all doses of PED examined were equipotent for both tumor regression and stasis, a dose-dependent inhibition of new tumor formation was observed in PED-treated rats. In control animals an average of 1.2 new tumors was observed during the experimental period; in contrast, averages of 0.5 tumors appeared in animals receiving 1mg PED/kg body weight/day, 0.1 tumors at 5 mg/kg, and at 50mg of PED/kg body weight/day, no new tumors occurred during the time PED was administered. The effects of PED on both regression of existing tumors and appearance of new tumors were reversed by co-administration of estradiol. Thus, PED impairs estrogen-dependent mammary tumor growth, resulting in cessation of new growth and regression of responsive tumors.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 15-21 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Breast Cancer Research and Treatment |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1993 |
Keywords
- aromatase
- aromatase inhibitors
- breast cancer
- estrogen
- estrous cycle
- tumor regression