Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin - Induction of Apoptosis in Breast Cancer

Agents that induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells have great potential to facilitate chemotherapeutic intervention and improve patient outcomes. In this study the effects of injecting purified human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) directly into human breast cancer xenografts grown in nude mice was examined. It was demonstrated that intra-tumoral injection of purified hCG increased the apoptotic index in breast cancer xenografts. These results were supported by the findings that exposure of breast cancer cells to purified hCG decreased cell viability in five different breast cancer cell lines. Further investigation revealed that the expression of Bcl-xL Bd-2 and Bax was altered in concert with their role in apoptosis as demonstrated by Western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry. Preoperative apoptotic induction by factors such as hCG may improve local control or work synergistically with neoadjuvant chemotherapy to improve complete pathologic response of locally advanced breast cancer.