Müllerian duct regression in the embryo correlated with cytotoxic activity against human ovarian cancer

Science. 1979 Aug 31;205(4409):913-5. doi: 10.1126/science.472712.

Abstract

A significant cytotoxicity index was obtained when human ovarian cancer cells in a microcytotoxicity assay were exposed during the S (DNA-synthesizing) phase of the cell cycle to purified fractions of testis exhibiting high Müllerian inhibiting substance bioactivity. The same effect was not observed when these fractions were tested against human glioblastoma or fibroblast lines. Most human ovarian cancers are said to resemble Müllerian tissues histologically. Müllerian inhibiting substance may thus deserve further study as a potential chemotherapeutic agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Culture Techniques
  • Cystadenoma / therapy*
  • Cytotoxins / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mullerian Ducts / physiology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Receptors, Drug / physiology
  • Testis / embryology

Substances

  • Cytotoxins
  • Receptors, Drug