Aromatase inhibitor letrozole in synergy with curcumin in the inhibition of xenografted endometrial carcinoma growth.
OBJECTIVE
Endometrial carcinoma is a malignant tumor in the uterus. Its current treatment is not satisfactory. The present study aimed to promote the inhibitory effect on the implanted endometrial tumor growth.


METHODS
Nude mice were implanted with endometrial carcinoma. Some tumor-laden mice were treated with aromatase inhibitor letrozole and/or curcumin. The tumor growth was monitored. Tumor cell apoptosis was detected in both control and treated groups.


RESULTS
Fifty mice were successfully implanted with the endometrial tumor. Treatment with letrozole markedly inhibited the tumor growth; the inhibitor effect was further strengthened by combination with letrozole and curcumin. The results also showed that letrozole enhanced the expression of Bax and cytochrome c release and suppressed the expression of estrogen receptor in tumor cells. Treatment with curcumin inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 in tumor cells at the mRNA and protein levels. Tumor cell apoptosis was observed in mice treated with either letrozole or curcumin; however, combination of letrozole and curcumin further enhanced the inhibitory rate in tumor growth.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with either letrozole or curcumin could inhibit the xenografted endometrial tumor growth via inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. Combination of letrozole and curcumin further strengthened the inhibitory effect on tumor growth.
Liang
Yuan-Jiao
YJ
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. liangyuanjiao@yahoo.com
Hao
Qun
Q
Wu
Yuan-Zhe
YZ
Wang
Qiao-Lian
QL
Wang
Jian-Dong
JD
Hu
Ya-Li
YL
D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004357:Drug Synergism; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077289:Letrozole; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009570:Nitriles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D000077289:Letrozole; D003474:Curcumin