Corticosteroid prevention of carcinogenesis in benzo[a]pyrene or ultraviolet irradiation-treated Syrian hamster cells in vitro.
Cortisol and dexamethasone, at 10(-9)--10(-11) M, inhibit benzo[a]pyrene and ultraviolet irradiation-induced morphological transformation of hamster embryo fibroblasts without inhibiting cell proliferation in a cell culture model of carcinogenesis. Inhibition varies directly with steroid concentration and is complete at equimolar doses for these glucocorticosteroids possessing a 30-fold difference in anti-inflammatory activity. Corticosteroids are known to affect enzymes metabolizing carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PCH) and to inhibit complete PCH and phorbol ester promotion of PCH tumorigenesis. The pleotropic anti-carcinogenic action of corticosteroids is further demonstrated by the prevention of transformation induced by ultraviolet irradiation, a carcinogen not requiring metabolic activation.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001580:Benzopyrenes; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006224:Cricetinae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001580:Benzopyrenes