title: Mepacrine antagonises tumour cell growth induced by natural polyamines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mepacrine is an antiproliferative agent, characterised by an aliphatic chain similar to that of natural polyamines whose activation is closely associated with cell proliferation and may lead to malignant transformation and neurodegenerative diseases. This study aims to investigate a possible antagonism between mepacrine and polyamines in tumour proliferation.
  
  
  METHODS
  MCF-7 and Vero cells were cultured in Eagle's minimum essential medium and then subjected to graded concentrations of putrescine, spermine and spermidine alone and in combination with mepacrine. Methyl thiazole tetrazolium test and Western-blotting were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Putrescine and spermidine at 0.5 mg/l significantly stimulated cell growth, whereas mepacrine treatment confirmed the enhanced p21 expression previously reported by a recent study and growth inhibition. When used in combination, mepacrine antagonized MCF-7 growth induced by polyamines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that mepacrine may represent a choice in the treatment of tumours induced by the modified concentration of polyamines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. tiziana.rossi@unimore.it
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coppi
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruni
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruberto
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giudice
authors.forename: Giosué
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baggio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015317:Biogenic Polyamines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D011700:Putrescine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011796:Quinacrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013095:Spermidine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D013096:Spermine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014709:Vero Cells
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015317:Biogenic Polyamines; D013096:Spermine; D011796:Quinacrine; D013095:Spermidine; D011700:Putrescine