Raloxifene reduces triple-negative breast cancer tumor growth and decreases EGFR expression.

The poor prognosis of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the lack of targeted treatments have raised the need for alternative therapies. Previous studies have suggested an effect of raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator that is independent of the estrogen receptor (ER). Therefore, we assessed the therapeutic value of raloxifene in TNBC mouse models. Mice received a daily oral treatment with different doses of raloxifene. Tumor progression was monitored weekly; in addition microvessel density, proliferation, migration and invasion, apoptosis and tumorigenicity were analyzed. This study demonstrates that raloxifene (0.85 mg/kg) prevents TNBC tumor growth and induces tumor regression. The treated tumors showed a 54% decreased microvascular density and proliferation and a 7-fold increase in apoptosis. The underlying therapeutic mechanism of raloxifene was associated with a 27-fold decrease in the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Moreover, raloxifene promoted the translocation of EGFR into endosomes associated with decreased cell migration, cell invasion and tumorigenicity in vitro. Together, these data showed that raloxifene acts independently of the ER and may be relevant for the treatment as well as control the progression of TNBC.

Sex-specific differences in CYP450 isoforms in humans.

BACKGROUND: The activity of various CYP isoforms is critical for maintaining the clinical effectiveness of many medications. Therefore, determining the sex-dependent activity of clinically relevant CYP families is highly important for optimal therapeutic effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: This review examined the sex-dependent activity of CYP3A, CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2E1. METHODS: This review searched for studies performed in humans and hormonal status was not a limiting factor. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence suggests that CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 activity is higher in males than females, while CYP3A, one of the most clinically relevant CYP isoforms, appears to have greater activity in females. Overall, more studies are needed to fully support these conclusions as there are many factors that influence drug metabolism and thus it is very difficult to isolate gender as a sole modulator of CYP activity.

The combination of epigallocatechin gallate and curcumin suppresses ER alpha-breast cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

Both epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and curcumin have shown efficacy in various in vivo and in vitro models of cancer. This study was designed to determine the efficacy of these naturally derived polyphenolic compounds in vitro and in vivo, when given in combination. Studies in MDA-MB-231 cells demonstrated that EGCG + curcumin was synergistically cytotoxic and that this correlated with G(2)/M-phase cell cycle arrest. After 12 hr, EGCG (25 microM) + curcumin (3 microM) increased the proportion of cells in G(2)/M-phase to 263 +/- 16% of control and this correlated with a 50 +/- 4% decrease in cell number compared to control. To determine if this in vitro result would translate in vivo, athymic nude female mice were implanted with MDA-MB-231 cells and treated with curcumin (200 mg/kg/day, po), EGCG (25 mg/kg/day, ip), EGCG + curcumin, or vehicle control (5 ml/kg/day, po) for 10 weeks. Tumor volume in the EGCG + curcumin treated mice decreased 49% compared to vehicle control mice (p < 0.05), which correlated with a 78 +/- 6% decrease in levels of VEGFR-1 protein expression in the tumors. Curcumin treatment significantly decreased tumor protein levels of EGFR and Akt, however the expression of these proteins was not further decreased following combination treatment. Therefore, these results demonstrate that the combination of EGCG and curcumin is efficacious in both in vitro and in vivo models of ER alpha-breast cancer and that regulation of VEGFR-1 may play a key role in this effect.

Role of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer.

Green tea and its major constituent epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been extensively studied as a potential treatment for a variety of diseases, including cancer. Epidemiological data have suggested that EGCG may provide protective effects against hormone related cancers, namely breast or prostate cancer. Extensive in vitro investigations using both hormone responsive and non-responsive cell lines have shown that EGCG induces apoptosis and alters the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins that are critical for cell survival and apoptosis. This review will highlight the important in vitro mechanistic actions elicited by EGCG in various breast and prostate cancer cell lines. Additionally, the actions of green tea/EGCG in in vivo models for these cancers as well as in clinical trials will be discussed.

Curcumin modulates drug metabolizing enzymes in the female Swiss Webster mouse.

Curcumin, the yellow pigment found in turmeric, exhibits potent chemopreventative properties in both in vivo and in vitro cancer models. We hypothesized that this effect may occur via curcumin-mediated changes in enzymes involved in both carcinogen bioactivation and estrogen metabolism. Female Swiss Webster mice were treated with either curcumin (200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle control for 1 or 2 weeks. The results demonstrated that curcumin had no effect on the catalytic activities of ovarian aromatase, hepatic catechol-O-methyltransferase or hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. However, both doses of curcumin caused a 25% decrease in CYP1A catalytic activity, but not polypeptide levels, following 2 weeks of treatment. Additionally, following 2 weeks of curcumin at 400 mg/kg, there was a 20% decrease in the catalytic activity and a 28% decrease in polypeptide levels of CYP3A. While 2 weeks of curcumin treatment (400 mg/kg) caused a 20% increase in glutathione S-transferase activity, there was no parallel increase in hepatic stores of the co-factor glutathione. In conclusion small changes in CYP1A, CYP3A and GST following long term treatment (2 weeks) suggest that the combination of all three metabolic pathways may play a small role in curcumin's chemopreventative action.