Antiprogestin mifepristone inhibits the growth of cancer cells of reproductive and non-reproductive origin regardless of progesterone receptor expression
2011

Mifepristone Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth Regardless of Progesterone Receptor Expression

Sample size: 10 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Tieszen Chelsea R, Goyeneche Alicia A, Brandhagen BreeAnn N, Ortbahn Casey T, Telleria Carlos M

Primary Institution: Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota

Hypothesis

Mifepristone would be capable of growth-inhibiting cancers of reproductive and non-reproductive origin regardless of PR expression.

Conclusion

Mifepristone inhibits the growth of various cancer cell lines without depending on the expression of classical progesterone receptors.

Supporting Evidence

  • Mifepristone inhibited the growth of all cancer cell lines tested.
  • Only the breast cancer MCF-7 cells expressed cognate progesterone receptors.
  • Growth inhibition was observed at lower concentrations with cytostatic effects and at higher concentrations with lethality.

Takeaway

Mifepristone is a medicine that can stop cancer cells from growing, even if those cells don't have a specific receptor that people thought was necessary.

Methodology

Dose-response experiments were conducted with various cancer cell lines exposed to mifepristone for 72 hours, followed by analysis of cell growth and cycle.

Limitations

The study is limited to the investigation of classical PR and does not explore other potential mechanisms of action.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-11-207

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