Is the combination with 2-methoxyestradiol able to reduce the dosages of chemotherapeutices in the treatment of human ovarian cancer? Preliminary in vitro investigations.
OBJECTIVE
The endogenous estradiol metabolite, 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME), has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of cell growth and a strong anti-angiogenic substance. We investigated for the first time whether in vitro combinations of 2ME with various chemotherapeutic compounds may result in an additive inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human ovary cancer cells.


METHODS
As a model two different human ovary cancer cell lines were used. All cell lines were incubated with equimolar concentrations of 2ME (0.8-25 microM) and the chemotherapeutics epirubicine, doxorubicine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, carboplatin, vinorelbine, 5-fluorouracil and mafosfamide. Proliferation was measured after four days using the ATP-chemosensitivity test.


RESULTS
For both ovary cancer cell lines a significant additive effect of 2ME with epirubicine and carboplatin was observed at the lower concentration range of these chemotherapeutic substances.


CONCLUSIONS
2ME is able to enhance the antiproliferative activity of certain chemotherapeutics at pharmacological relevant concentrations. This estradiol metabolite is currently in a phase II trial in patients with refractary metastatic breast cancer and the tolerability has been shown to be very good. The combination of 2ME with chemotherapeutics may therefore offer a new clinically relevant treatment regimen for hormone-dependent cancer.
Mueck
A O
AO
Section of Endocrinology and Menopause, University Women's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany.
Seeger
H
H
Wallwiener
D
D
Huober
J
J
D000077584:2-Methoxyestradiol; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077235:Vinorelbine
D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D015251:Epirubicin; D004958:Estradiol; C048341:mafosfamide; D014747:Vinblastine; D000077584:2-Methoxyestradiol; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D005472:Fluorouracil