Rosiglitazone shows partial oncostatic effect in rat mammary carcinogenesis

B Bojkova1, K Kajo, M Garajova

  • 1Department of Animal Physiology, P.J Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic. bianka.bojkova@upjs.sk

Neoplasma
|October 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Rosiglitazone, a diabetes drug, showed chemopreventive effects against mammary cancer in rats by reducing tumor frequency and volume. However, higher doses induced cardiac hypertrophy, indicating a potential side effect.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Thiazolidinedione antidiabetics exhibit preclinical oncostatic properties.
  • N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) is a known carcinogen used to induce mammary tumors in rat models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the chemopreventive potential of rosiglitazone in NMU-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis.
  • To assess the impact of rosiglitazone on tumor growth, latency, and metabolic parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were administered NMU to induce mammary carcinogenesis.
  • Rosiglitazone was administered orally at 10 ppm and 100 ppm starting 9 days before NMU exposure.
  • Tumor parameters, body weight, and metabolic/hormonal variables were monitored over 16 weeks.

Main Results:

  • The higher rosiglitazone dose (100 ppm) reduced tumor frequency per group by 44%.
  • Both doses decreased cumulative tumor volume, with greater efficacy at the lower dose (10 ppm).
  • Lower dose reduced glycemia and insulinemia; higher dose alleviated metabolic alterations but caused cardiac hypertrophy.

Conclusions:

  • Rosiglitazone demonstrates chemopreventive effects in a rat mammary cancer model, particularly at lower doses.
  • The drug influences tumor growth and metabolic parameters, but potential cardiac side effects warrant consideration.