Progesterone Mimic Shows Promise in Breast Cancer Fight

A Promising Breakthrough

Breast cancer is a tough opponent, but scientists might have found a new ally in the fight against it. A recent study suggests that a drug mimicking progesterone could help slow down tumor growth in women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

The Drug: Megestrol

The drug, called megestrol, is a synthetic version of progesterone. Researchers found that when women took megestrol alongside standard anti-estrogen therapy, their tumors grew more slowly. This was observed over a two-week period before surgery.

Study Details

• Participants: 198 women with ER-positive breast cancer (tumors that feed on estrogen).
• Treatment: Letrozole (a hormone therapy drug) combined with either a low or high dose of megestrol or no megestrol at all.

Results

The results were promising:

• Both doses of megestrol enhanced the effect of letrozole in slowing tumor growth.
• Lower doses mean fewer side effects.
• High doses of progesterone can cause weight gain and high blood pressure, so a lower dose could be a safer option.

How It Works

Lab tests on mice showed that progesterone works by indirectly blocking estrogen receptors in cancer cells, preventing them from dividing. However, more research is needed to see if these benefits last beyond two weeks.

Hormone Therapy vs. Chemotherapy

Hormone therapy is often preferred over chemotherapy because it's gentler and has fewer side effects. But even mild side effects can be tough to deal with over the long term. This study offers hope for improving the quality of life for women undergoing hormone therapy.