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In vitro effects of pentosan polysulfate against malignant breast cells
Stanley Zaslau1, Dale R Riggs, Barbara J Jackson
1Department of Surgery, Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center, P.O. Box 9238, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
Background:
Pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron); (Alza Pharmaceuticals, Mountain View, CA) is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved oral therapy for interstitial cystitis (IC). Women with IC and breast cancer are often in the same age range; therefore, we hypothesize that pentosan polysulfate may also have a therapeutic effect on breast cancer cells in vitro.
Methods:
Breast cancer lines MCF-7, ZR75-1, and HTB26 were treated with pentosan polysulfate at various concentrations. Cell viability was measured at 24 hours by MTT. Annexin V assay was used to determine the effect of pentosan polysulfate on apoptotic and necrotic activity.
Results:
Pentosan polysulfate significantly inhibited the growth of the ZR75-1 cells; however, significant cellular proliferation was observed in the MCF-7 cells. A significant change in late apoptotic activity was observed with pentosan polysulfate treatment in vitro.
Conclusions:
Caution should be used in prescribing pentosan polysulfate for the treatment of IC in patients who are both in high-risk groups for breast cancer and premenopausal females.
