A direct LHRH-agonist action on cancer cells is unlikely to be the cause of response to LHRH-agonist treatment.
LHRH-Agonist therapy has been shown to have some effect in cancer treatment. Chronic administration of LHRH-agonists may lead to a decreased gonadal steroidogenesis. A direct anti-tumor action of LHRH-agonists has also been reported. We observed only a small direct inhibitory effect of the LHRH-agonist Buserelin at high concentrations on the proliferation of three human ovarian cancer cell lines, and on estrogen-stimulated proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro. Proliferation of rat prostate cancer cells was not inhibited by Buserelin. It is unlikely that a direct anti-tumor effect is the major mechanism of action of LHRH-agonists in cancer treatment.
Slotman
B J
BJ
Department of Endocrinology, Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Poels
L G
LG
Rao
B R
BR
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002064:Buserelin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D004958:Estradiol; D002064:Buserelin