Breast and ovarian cell behavior in the presence of contraceptive ingredients

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death amongst women in the United States. Breast cancer growth can be fueled by estrogen, progesterone, and growth hormones such as HER2/neu gene. The ovaries are the key source of Estrogen and Progesterone. Different studies and analysis data on over 150,000 reveal a 7% increase in breast cancer rates when women are on contraceptives. The overall purpose of this study was to evaluate the behavior of breast and ovarian cells in the presence of common contraceptive ingredients Ethinyl Estradiol (EE) and Levonorgestrel (LNG). Both cell lines were evaluated at high-dose concentrations of EE and LNG as well as serum-level concentrations comparable with those of approved contraceptives. It was hypothesized that Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol in contraceptives could have an oncogenic effect in breast and ovarian cells. Results showed that high concentrations of EE dramatically decrease the proliferation rate of both ovarian and breast cells. On the other hand, cells treated with serum-level concentrations of EE increased proliferation in both cell lines. Breast and Ovarian cells treated with high concentrations of LNG displayed a slight/modest decrease in proliferation respectively. Ovarian cells treated with serum-level concentrations of LNG found on contraceptive users displayed an increased proliferation rate if treated individually and/or in combination with EE. Breast cells treated with serum-level concentrations of LNG did not exhibit a notable impact in proliferation, however, when LNG was combined with EE at serum-level concentrations; a decreased in proliferation was observed