Abstract
Cytosols of human breast tumours have been assayed for DNA dependent DNA polymerase alpha activity. DNA polymerase alpha activity in benign tumours was found to be significantly lower than in untreated malignant tumours. Biopsy samples removed surgically before and after endocrine therapy showed reduced DNA polymerase alpha activity in 6 out of 9 patients treated with 4-hydroxyandrostenedione, and in 6 out of 7 patients treated with MPA. DNA polymerase alpha activity in malignant breast tumours was higher in oestrogen receptor negative than oestrogen receptor positive tumours.
Highlights
Biopsy samples were removed from patients with malignant breast tumours before and after treatment with either medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (500 mg day ' for 2 weeks intramuscularly) or 4-OH A (500 mg on day I of treatment and 500 mg on day 11, intramuscularly)
The specific activity of DNA polymerase a was significantly elevated in malignant tumours (P
We have observed a significantly lower specific activity of DNA polymerase a in benign breast tumours compared with untreated malignant breast tumours suggesting that cellular proliferation in benign tumours was reduced
Summary
Breast tumour samples were obtained from 30 women with untreated malignant tumours and 16 women with benign tumours. Biopsy samples were removed from patients with malignant breast tumours before and after treatment with either MPA (500 mg day ' for 2 weeks intramuscularly) or 4-OH A (500 mg on day I of treatment and 500 mg on day 11, intramuscularly). All of the patients in this study were at least one year postmenopausal except for one patient treated with MPA who was perimenopausal. The patients treated with 4-OH A and MPA had stages 3 and 4 breast cancer. Tumour samples were removed at surgery, divided into two pieces, and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen. The tumour diameter was recorded pathologically after surgical removal with a ruler. Received 12 October 1989; and in revised form 26 February 1990
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