Regulation of cytochrome P450 gene expression in human colon and breast tumour xenografts
1993

Regulation of Cytochrome P450 in Human Tumors

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): G. Smith, D.J. Harrison, N. East, F. Rae, H. Wolf, C.R. Wolf

Primary Institution: Imperial Cancer Research Fund

Hypothesis

How do environmental and hormonal factors regulate the expression of human cytochrome P450 enzymes?

Conclusion

Human breast and colon tumors can express cytochrome P450 enzymes, and their levels can be influenced by environmental agents.

Supporting Evidence

  • Human tumors express cytochrome P450 enzymes constitutively.
  • Environmental agents can modulate P450 levels in human tumors.
  • TCPOBOP and dexamethasone significantly induce P450 expression in tumors.

Takeaway

Scientists studied how certain chemicals can change the way human tumors process drugs. They found that these tumors can react to these chemicals just like normal human cells.

Methodology

Human tumors were grown as xenografts in immune deficient mice and treated with various compounds to observe changes in cytochrome P450 expression.

Limitations

The influence of the mouse host on the results cannot be ruled out.

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