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OVARIAN CANCER MONOTHERAPY 
In Vitro Efficacy
Prolanta has the possibility of becoming a major breakthrough
for ovarian cancer. Prolanta targets multiple signaling pathways and has both
anti-prolactin and anti-HER2 activity, which are relevant targets for ovarian
cancer. Therefore, Prolanta has the potential to become a very significant
targeted therapy for ovarian cancer. Currently, cytotoxic drugs (chemotherapy)
are the only drugs approved for this deadly disease.
Prolactin (PRL) is a neuroendocrine hormone involved in the development,
differentiation and function of the mammary gland and ovary, and its biological
activities are mediated by a specific membrane receptor, the PRL receptor
(PRLR).
PRL has been shown to potently induce proliferation in several ovarian cancer
cell lines and activates the ras
oncogene in these cells. Research conducted by scientists at MD Anderson has
demonstrated beneficial modulatory effects of Prolanta on critical intracellular
signaling pathways important in the pathogenesis of cancer. In an orthotopic
xenograft mouse model of ovarian cancer, the data shows a dose-dependent
reduction in tumor growth.
Research performed in Dr. Anil Sood’s
laboratory at MD Anderson has shown that the PRLR protein is expressed
in vitro in 8 of the 9 ovarian cancer
cell lines evaluated. Treatment
with Prolanta inhibited the phosphorylation (activation) of both MAPK and AKT in
two different ovarian cancer cell lines
in vitro.
A dose-range finding study of Prolanta was conducted in a xenograft mouse model.
One million SKOV3 human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells were injected
orthotopically on Day 1.
The tumors were allowed to engraft for 7 days.
Daily intraperitoneal injections of Prolanta at 100, 200 or 400 µg per
mouse per day or mannitol buffer only (control) were begun on Day 8 and
continued for one month. There were
seven mice each in the control and 400 µg dose groups and eight mice each in the
100 and 200 µg dose groups. At the end of one month of dosing, the mice were
sacrificed and the tumor nodules were counted and weighed.
Human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 implanted in nude mice
Tumor response to treatment with Prolanta (after 28 days)
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Combination Therapy
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