Combined effects of the bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid and the aromatase inhibitor letrozole on breast cancer cells in vitro: evidence of synergistic interaction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Aromatase inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of oestrogen receptor-positive post-menopausal breast cancer. These patients may also be receiving the bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (ZA) to prevent bone loss or reduce skeletal morbidity in the setting of advanced disease. The potential biological interaction of these two drugs in breast cancer has not been assessed.

Methods

Aromatase-expressing breast cancer cells were treated with letrozole and ZA either simultaneously or in sequence, and the resulting apoptosis was assessed by staining with Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide and examined using a fluorescent inverted Leica DMIRB microscope and a UV filter.

Results

We found that letrozole and ZA induce levels of apoptosis in breast cancer cells in vi

SUBMITTER: Neville-Webbe HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2844031 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature