Therapeutic activity of 3,3'-diindolylmethane on prostate cancer in an in vivo model.
BACKGROUND
Prostate cancer (PC) is the second leading cancer-related death in men in Western countries. Hence, efficient anti-carcinogenic and therapeutic compounds against PC are badly needed. We have previously shown that 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) has a suppressive effect on the growth of human breast and PC cell lines. The objective of this study was examination of the potential therapeutic effects of DIM in an in vivo model.


METHODS
TRAMP-C2, a mouse PC cell line, was injected into the flank of male C57BL/6 mice. When tumors appeared, mice were injected intraperitoneally with either corn oil (vehicle) or DIM (2.5, 5, or 10 mg per kg body weight) 3-times a week, for 3 weeks, and tumor volumes were measured bi-weekly with calibermeters. Later, the tumors were removed, their final weights and volumes were measured, and tumor sections were tested for histological studies.


RESULTS
DIM had a significant inhibitory effect, caused by diminished tumor growth. Histological examination of tumors from treated groups revealed apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation, compared with the controls. DIM didn't affect body weights or kidney and liver functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
The inhibitory action of DIM on tumor growth was demonstrated in vivo. Hence, this compound at the concentrations tested may offer an effective and non toxic therapeutic means against tumor growth in rodents, and may serve as a potential natural anti-carconigenic compound in humans.
Faculty of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
Maya
M
Nachshon-Kedmi
Fuad A
FA
Fares
Shmuel
S
Yannai
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D023421:Models, Animal; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007211:Indoles; C016392:3,3'-diindolylmethane