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Published on: May 23, 2014
Inhibitory effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on angiogenesis induced by human endometrial cancer
H Jikihara1, N Terada, R Yamamoto
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on angiogenesis induced by endometrial cancer and to elucidate the possible mechanisms by which it inhibits the growth of the cancer.
Study Design:
Tumors were obtained from 29 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma, and angiogenesis was assayed in corneas of white rabbits.
Results:
Transplantation of tumor tissues into rabbit corneas induced angiogenesis in 70.4% of the corneas, but their transplantation with a pellet of medroxyprogesterone acetate induced angiogenesis in only 21.5% of the corneas. This compound also inhibited angiogenesis induced by acidic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha.
Conclusion:
Inhibition of angiogenesis may be one mechanism by which medroxyprogesterone acetate inhibits the growth of endometrial adenocarcinoma, and its inhibition of neovascularization induced by adenocarcinoma may be through its direct action on endothelial cells.
Insights
Medroxyprogesterone acetate significantly inhibits angiogenesis, a key process in endometrial cancer growth. This finding suggests a potential therapeutic mechanism for treating endometrial adenocarcinoma by targeting new blood vessel formation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Vascular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Endometrial cancer growth relies on angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation).
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a progestin with potential anti-cancer effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate medroxyprogesterone acetate's effect on endometrial cancer-induced angiogenesis.
- To explore the mechanisms by which it inhibits cancer growth.
Main Methods:
- Assayed angiogenesis in rabbit corneas using human endometrial adenocarcinoma tumor tissues.
- Evaluated the impact of medroxyprogesterone acetate on tumor-induced and growth factor-induced angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate significantly reduced angiogenesis induced by endometrial cancer tissues (70.4% to 21.5%).
- The compound also inhibited angiogenesis stimulated by acidic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha.
Conclusions:
- Inhibition of angiogenesis is a likely mechanism for medroxyprogesterone acetate's anti-cancer effect in endometrial adenocarcinoma.
- The drug may act directly on endothelial cells to inhibit neovascularization.
