title: Effect of digoxin on DNA synthesis and cell viability in human breast tumour tissue in organ culture.
abstract: 10 biopsy specimens of primary breast tumours from 10 patients were classified histopathologically into 8 ductal carcinomas and 2 lobular carcinomas. Portions of tumour of approximately 1 mm3 were cultured in Medium 199 buffered with 20 mM Hepes for 48 h with or without addition of digoxin at concentrations from 1-2 ng/ml to 10-20 micrograms/ml of culture medium. Measurement of DNA synthesis by [3H]-thymidine incorporation, DNA analysis and histological examination showed that 5 biopsy specimens demonstrated epithelial cell survival in culture. These cultures were significantly (p less than 0.001) affected by digoxin at concentrations above 10-20 ng/ml, with suppression of [3H]-thymidine incorporation and reduced epithelial cell viability. Parallel studies on 5 biopsy specimens of DMBA-induced rat mammary carcinomas showed no effects of digoxin up to 10 micrograms/ml of culture medium. These studies indicate the possibility of this class of drug being of use in growth suppression of breast tumours.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004077:Digoxin