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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 18, 2013
The potential efficacy of 3,3'-diindolylmethane in prevention of prostate cancer development
Fuad Fares1, Naiel Azzam, Boaz Appel
1Department of Biology, University of Haifa, Israel. ffares@sci.haifa.ac.il
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) in prevention of prostate cancer tumor development in an animal model. Mouse prostate cancer cells (TRAMP-C2, 2x10) were injected subcutaneously into three groups of C57BL/6 mice (10 mice in each group). Two groups were treated earlier with DIM; 2 or 10 mg/kg each, and an additional control group was injected with medium. Animals were treated for five more weeks until sacrificed. Tumor sizes were measured biweekly. At the end of the experiment, mice were sacrificed, and tumors were excised, weighed, measured and tested using immunohistochemical studies. In addition blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. The results indicated that DIM significantly reduced tumor development in treated animals when compared with controls. Tumors developed in 80% of controls and 40% and 60% of animals treated with 10 or 2 mg/kg of DIM, respectively. Moreover, tumors that developed in treated animals were significantly (P<0.001) smaller than in controls. Additionally, our results indicated that DIM has no effect on animal weight or liver and kidney functions. These results indicated that the DIM agent is not toxic and has an in-vivo preventive effect against the development of prostate cancer in a mouse model.
Insights
3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM) significantly reduced prostate cancer tumor development in a mouse model. DIM demonstrated a preventive effect without impacting animal weight or organ function, indicating it is not toxic.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Prostate cancer remains a significant health concern globally.
- 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM) is a compound derived from cruciferous vegetables with potential anti-cancer properties.
- Further research is needed to validate DIM's efficacy in preclinical models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the preventive efficacy of 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM) against prostate cancer development.
- To evaluate the dose-dependent effects of DIM in a mouse model.
- To assess the safety and toxicity of DIM treatment.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous injection of mouse prostate cancer cells (TRAMP-C2) into C57BL/6 mice.
- Treatment of mice with two different doses of DIM (2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) or medium (control).
- Monitoring tumor growth, size, and weight; performing immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses.
Main Results:
- DIM significantly reduced prostate cancer tumor incidence and size in treated mice compared to controls.
- Tumor development was observed in 80% of control mice versus 40% and 60% in mice treated with 10 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg DIM, respectively.
- DIM treatment did not adversely affect animal body weight or liver and kidney function.
Conclusions:
- 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM) exhibits significant in-vivo preventive effects against prostate cancer development in a mouse model.
- DIM is not toxic at the tested doses and does not impair vital organ functions.
- These findings support further investigation of DIM as a potential chemopreventive agent for prostate cancer.
