TITLE:
In-Vitro Inhibition of Human Melanoma (BLM) Cell Growth by Progesterone Receptor Antagonist RU-486 (Mifepristone)
AUTHORS:
Pandurangan Ramaraj
KEYWORDS:
Human Melanoma (BLM) Cell, RU-486, Apoptosis, Progesterone Receptor, Glucocorticoid Receptor
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.7 No.13,
December
23,
2016
ABSTRACT: RU-486 is an abortifacient which is used to
terminate early pregnancy. It acts by blocking progesterone receptor. In our
earlier study with progesterone, RU-486 was used as a progesterone receptor
antagonist to find out the mechanism of progesterone action on melanoma cells.
Results indicated that the effect of progesterone was not mediated through
progesterone receptor. In the course of experiments, it was
observed that RU-486 by itself inhibited mouse melanoma cell growth. Further
research work with RU-486 showed a dose dependent inhibition of human melanoma
cell growth. The mechanism of inhibition of cell growth was due to apoptosis
and this effect of RU-486 was neither mediated through progesterone receptor nor
glucocorticoid receptor. This in-vitro study suggested that melanoma also
could be a target for RU-486 action, apart from breast, ovary and prostate
cancers.