Prevention of ovarian cancer by administration of products that induce transforming growth factor-β and/or apoptosis in the ovarian epithelium

• US 6,765,002 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2000
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: New Life Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gustavo Rodriguez
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Gustavo C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Henley, III, Raymond J.
• Application Number:
  US09/528,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20030125229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,582 Days
• Field of Search: 514/177
• US Class Current: 514/177
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/56 Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/57 substituted in position 17 beta by a chain of two carbon atoms, e.g. pregnane or progesterone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/59 Compounds containing 9, 10- seco- cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preventing the development of epithelial ovarian cancer by administering compounds in an amount capable of increasing TGF-β expression in the ovarian epithelium. HRT and OCP regimens comprising such compositions and methods are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for determining the effectiveness of an agent for preventing epithelial ovarian cancer in a human female, based upon the ability of said agent to upregulate TGF-β

in ovarian epithelium, said method comprising the steps of;

(a) exposing said agent to ovarian epithelial cells;

(b) measuring the resulting expression of TGF-β

in the exposed ovarian epithelial cells; and

(c) determining the agent to be effective for the prevention of epithelial ovarian cancer in a human female when said measuring step indicates an upregulation of TGF-β

in said ovarian epithelial cells.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said agent is a progestin product.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said ovarian epithelial cells are treated with said agent using an in vivo test.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said test is conducted in vitro.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said measured TGF-β

expression is upregulation of TGF-β

2 or TGF-β

3.