Chemoprevention of NMU-induced rat mammary carcinoma with the combination of melatonin and 9-cis-retinoic acid

Cancer Lett. 2001 Jul 26;168(2):155-63. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3835(01)00548-1.

Abstract

In experimental trials using the N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU)-induced rat mammary tumor model, a significant decrease in tumor incidence (to 5%) was observed in rats treated with melatonin and 9-cis-retinoic acid (9 cRA) compared to controls (55%). Although 9cRA alone decreased tumor incidence to 26%, this response did not reach statistical significance. Tumor incidence was significantly inhibited to 20% in the animals that received melatonin and 9cRA on alternating days. Latency to tumor onset was prolonged in animals receiving either of the combination treatments compared with controls, and tumor multiplicity was also significantly decreased.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / chemically induced
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / prevention & control*
  • Alitretinoin
  • Animals
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Carcinogens / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Female
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / chemically induced
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / prevention & control*
  • Melatonin / pharmacology*
  • Methylnitrosourea
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Estrogen / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / biosynthesis
  • Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology*
  • Uterus / anatomy & histology
  • Uterus / drug effects

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Carcinogens
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Rara protein, rat
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha
  • Alitretinoin
  • Estradiol
  • Tretinoin
  • Methylnitrosourea
  • Melatonin