cis-hydroxyproline stimulates the growth of rat mammary carcinoma cells

With the ever-increasing evidence that the extracellular matrix (ECM) can stimulate tumor growth, it follows that inhibiting the synthesis of tumor-derived stroma may be a potential therapeutic target of cancer progression. The proline analog cis-hydroxyproline (CHP), an inhibitor of collagen deposition, was examined for its effects on the growth of clonal tumor cells that differentially produce type IV collagen and laminin. Two separate clones derived from rat mammary carcinoma cells that produce high and low amounts of type IV collagen and laminin were injected into the flanks of nude mice. Tumors in animals receiving CHP treatment grew faster than tumors in control animals receiving saline, although statistically not significant. Furthermore, upon administration of CHP to these clones in culture, increased proliferation rates of both cell types were observed. These results show that CHP is not useful in preventing stromal development and growth of rat mammary tumor xenografts.