2-methoxyestradiol prevents LNCaP tumor development in nude mice: Potential role of G₂/M regulatory proteins

Nontoxic naturally occurring metabolite of estrogen namely 2-methoxyestradial (2ME₂) found in serum and urine has been shown to be antitumorigenic in various tumor models including the prostate. A recent study conducted in breast cancer cells showed growth stimulatory effect of 2ME₂ when used at low concentrations (10-750 nM). Studies from our laboratory has demonstrated prostate tumor preventive ability of 50 mg/kg 2-ME₂. In this study we show that concentrations of 2-ME₂ as low as 1 μM is sufficient to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in androgen responsive LNCaP cells. In addition oral administration of doses lower than 50 mg/kg prevented prostate tumor development in LNCaP xenograft model. The observed tumor growth inhibition was associated with induction of apoptosis, increased expression of Wee1 kinase and p34cdc2. In addition administration of 25 mg/kg 2-ME₂ prevented tumor development significantly that is associated with reduction in serum PSA levels.