title: Agonist activation of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) sensitizes malignant pleural mesothelioma cells to cisplatin cytotoxicity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Estrogen receptor (ER) β acts as a tumor suppressor in malignant mesotheliomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we explored the anti-proliferative and anti-tumorigenic efficacy of the selective ERβ agonist, KB9520, in human mesothelioma cell lines in vitro and in a mesothelioma mouse model in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  KB9520 showed significant anti-proliferative effect in ERβ positive human malignant pleural mesothelioma cells in vitro. Selective activation of ERβ with KB9520 sensitized the cells to treatment with cisplatin, resulting in enhanced growth inhibition and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, in CD1 nude mice mesothelioma tumor growth was significantly inhibited when KB9520 was added on top of the standard of care chemo combination cisplatin/pemetrexed, as compared to the cisplatin/pemetrexed alone group. Importantly, KB9520 exerted a protective effect to cisplatin toxicity in the non-malignant mesothelium derived MET5A cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Together, the data presented suggest that selective targeting of ERβ may be an efficacious stand-alone treatment option and/or become an important add-on to existing malignant mesothelioma therapy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pinton
authors.forename: Arcangela G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Manente
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daga
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cilli
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A, Avogadro", Lgo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy. moro@pharm.unipmn.it.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000494:pharmacology; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D000086002:Mesothelioma, Malignant; D051379:Mice; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D005971:Glutamates; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine; D002945:Cisplatin