AFPep, a novel drug for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, does not disrupt the estrous cycle or fertility in rats

  • Authors:
    • Amanda M. Tower
    • Andrea Trinward
    • Katie Lee
    • Leroy Joseph
    • Herbert I. Jacobson
    • James A. Bennett
    • Thomas T. Andersen
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 1, 2009     https://doi.org/10.3892/or_00000405
  • Pages: 49-56
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Abstract

Pregnancy lowers the risk of breast cancer, largely attributable to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). A small AFP-derived peptide (AFPep) which mimics the active site of AFP has been developed and may be useful for decreasing the risk of breast cancer for women. AFPep has been shown previously to stop the growth of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer xenografts in mice and prevent carcinogen-induced breast cancer in a rat model. Since AFPep disrupts an estrogen-responsive pathway, it is essential to assess its effects on the female reproductive cycle and fertility. Ten cycling female Sprague-Dawley rats (age 81 days) were given 100 µg AFPep in saline s.c. daily for 20 days. A second group of ten rats was given 50 µg tamoxifen s.c. daily and a third group received saline only. Vaginal smears were obtained twice per day and stained to assess estrous cycle phase. After completion of estrous cycle assessment (five cycles, 21 days), rats were maintained on drug and allowed to mate. Effects on birth of offspring and maternal body weights were assessed. AFPep had no significant effect on the incidence or duration of any estrous cycle phase, and no effect on reproductive potential or maternal body mass. Tamoxifen significantly increased the length of diestrus, locking the cycle in this phase for most animals. Only half of the tamoxifen-treated rats mated, and none became pregnant. Tamoxifen significantly slowed the rate of body mass increase. In rats, AFPep has no toxicity and no effect on female reproduction. This molecule may be developed into an attractive modality for prevention of breast cancer in women.

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July 2009
Volume 22 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

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Spandidos Publications style
Tower AM, Trinward A, Lee K, Joseph L, Jacobson HI, Bennett JA and Andersen TT: AFPep, a novel drug for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, does not disrupt the estrous cycle or fertility in rats. Oncol Rep 22: 49-56, 2009.
APA
Tower, A.M., Trinward, A., Lee, K., Joseph, L., Jacobson, H.I., Bennett, J.A., & Andersen, T.T. (2009). AFPep, a novel drug for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, does not disrupt the estrous cycle or fertility in rats. Oncology Reports, 22, 49-56. https://doi.org/10.3892/or_00000405
MLA
Tower, A. M., Trinward, A., Lee, K., Joseph, L., Jacobson, H. I., Bennett, J. A., Andersen, T. T."AFPep, a novel drug for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, does not disrupt the estrous cycle or fertility in rats". Oncology Reports 22.1 (2009): 49-56.
Chicago
Tower, A. M., Trinward, A., Lee, K., Joseph, L., Jacobson, H. I., Bennett, J. A., Andersen, T. T."AFPep, a novel drug for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, does not disrupt the estrous cycle or fertility in rats". Oncology Reports 22, no. 1 (2009): 49-56. https://doi.org/10.3892/or_00000405