Faculty Publications

Janssens JP, Russo J, Irma RD, Michiels L, Donders G, Verjans M, Riphagen I, Van den Bossche T, Deleu M, Sieprath P

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and prevention of breast cancer

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2007 Apr;269(1-2):93-8.

Abstract Animal and 'in vitro' experiences learned that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is capable to protect from breast cancer. Receptors for hCG/luteinizing hormone (LH) are present on human female and male breast cancer cells. hCG decreases proliferation and invasion of breast cancer MCF-7 cells by inhibiting NF-kappa B, AP-1 activation and other genes. Doxorubicin toxicity is enhanced by conjugation with beta-hCG in MCF-7 cells. All these pieces of evidence suggest that hCG is active in human breast cancer. Direct proof however is missing. We performed a pilot study phase I trial for testing the inhibitory effects or recombinant hCG (rhCG) on primary breast cancer. Twenty-five postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed breast cancers of more than 1.5 cm were biopsied before randomization to receive either 500 mu g rhCG (n=20) or placebo. After 2 weeks, surgery was done and tissues were analysed with regard to morphological, immunohistochemical and biochemical changes in tis!