Mifepristone may halt progression of extensively metastatic human adenocarcinoma of the colon - case report.
BACKGROUND
Mifepristone, a progesterone receptor antagonist has been found to improve the length and quality of life in various spontaneous murine cancer models including tumors without progesterone receptors theoretically by inhibiting an immunomodulatory protein that suppresses natural killer cell function in the tumor microenvironment.


METHODS
Mifepristone 200 mg per day by mouth was given to two patients with stage 4 colon cancer with extensive metastases.


RESULTS
Both patients not only survived far longer than expected but had marked improvement in their quality of life similar to mice. Though the metastatic lesions did not disappear, no new ones appeared for a long time and the ones present did not grow. The drug was extremely well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of progesterone receptor antagonists may present a novel immunotherapy to help fight cancer. A larger controlled study is needed.
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Jerome H
JH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, NJ, U.S.A. laurie@ccivf.com
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Ebony
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Sansoucie
Lynn
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Diane
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D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011788:Quality of Life
D015735:Mifepristone