ONCOmmunity

Expression of prostaglandin- and vitamin D-metabolising enzymes in benign and malignant breast cells

By: Thill M, Hoellen F, Becker S, Dittmer C, Fischer D, Kümmel S, Salehin D, Friedrich M, Köster F, Diedrich K, Cordes T.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany. marc.thill@uk-sh.de
Anticancer Res. 2012 Jan; 32(1):367-72.

Abstract

Background

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a crucial role in prognosis of malignancy and has been associated with carcinogenesis, particularly neoangiogenesis and tumor progression. 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) is described as a tumour suppressor in cancer. The antiproliferative effects of calcitriol [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] mediated via the vitamin D receptor (VDR) render vitamin D a promising target in breast cancer therapy.

Materials and Methods

The expression of prostaglandin (PG)-metabolizing enzymes, vitamin D-metabolising enzymes and VDR were determined in benign and malignant breast cell lines using western blot analysis.

Results

We detected an inverse correlation between the two types of metabolism, a reduced VDR expression in the malignant breast cell lines, and therefore an insufficient induction of 24-hydroxylase in the malignant cells.

Conclusion

We suggest the possibility of dysregulation of vitamin D-metabolizing enzymes in malignant breast cell lines.

PMID: 22213328 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Source: National Library of Medicine.