title: [Effect of estrogen or progesterone combined with paclitaxel on human ovarian cancer cell growth and Drosha expression].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of estrogen (E2), progesterone(P4), and paclitaxel (taxol) on the growth of primary human ovarian cancer cells in vitro and the expression of Drosha.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human ovarian cancer cells were treated with estrogen, progesterone or in combination with paclitaxel in vitro. The inhibition rate of ovarian cancer cells was assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Apoptosis rate and cell cycle were determined by FACS analysis. The relative abundence of Drosha expression was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The inhibition rate of the estrogen group, progesterone group, paclitaxel group, E2(+)Taxol group, P4(+)Taxol group was (31.53 ± 8.21)%, (25.22 ± 15.50)%, (46.71 ± 4.25)%, (69.46 ± 3.71)%, and (47.35 ± 39.02)%, respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group (0%, P<0.05 for all). Relative to the ER (-) in ovarian cancer cells,Drosha mRNA expression level of estrogen group, progesterone group, paclitaxel group, E2(+) Taxol group,and P4(+)Taxol group was 1.62 ± 0.10,1.60 ± 0.10,1.75 ± 0.16,1.95 ± 0.20, and 1.53 ± 0.06, respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group (1.00, P<0.05 for all). Relative to the ER (+)in ovarian cancer cells,the Drosha mRNA expression level of estrogen group, progesterone group, paclitaxel group, E2(+)taxol group, and P4(+)Taxol group was 1.03 ± 0.14, 1.60 ± 0.09, 1.75 ± 0.16, 1.60 ± 0.10, 1.53 ± 0.06, respectively except estrogen group, significantly higher than that of the control group (1.00, P<0.05). Relative to the ER (-) in ovarian cancer cells, the Drosha protein expression levels of the control group, estrogen group, progesterone group, paclitaxel group, E2(+) taxol group, and P4(+) Taxol group were 0.25 ± 0.05, 0.87 ± 0.30, 0.85 ± 0.38, 1.30 ± 0.21, 1.75 ± 0.83, 1.62 ± 0.82, respectively, with a significant difference between the experimental groups and the control group (P<0.05). Relative to the ER(+)ovarian cancer cells, the Drosha protein expression levels in the estrogen group, progesterone group, paclitaxel group, E2(+) taxol group, and P4(+) taxol group, were 0.28 ± 0.16, 0.85 ± 0.38, 1.30 ± 0.21, 0.94 ± 0.18, and 1.62 ± 0.82, respectively except estrogen group, significantly higher than that of the control group (0.25 ± 0.05, P<0.05 for all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Estrogen and progesterone in combination with paclitaxel can inhibit the growth of human ovarian cancer cells in vitro, and affect the cell apoptosis rate. Estrogen and taxol can alter the cell cycle. Estrogen and progesterone combined with paclitaxel show tumor suppressing or sensitizing effect through upregulated Drosha expression, and are associated with the estrogen receptor expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Huaian Maternity and Child Healh Care Hospital, Huai'an 223002, China.
authors.forename: Yunjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Email: kehan1001@163.com.
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Yulian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xie
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002453:Cell Cycle; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004967:Estrogens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D011374:Progesterone; C517918:DROSHA protein, human; D043244:Ribonuclease III; C022616:thiazolyl blue; D017239:Paclitaxel