RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effects of Anti-malarial Drugs on MCF-7 and Vero Cell Replication JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 2555 OP 2559 VO 27 IS 4B A1 ROSSI, TIZIANA A1 COPPI, ANDREA A1 BRUNI, ELISA A1 RUBERTO, ANTONIO A1 SANTACHIARA, SAVERIO A1 BAGGIO, GIOSUÉ YR 2007 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/27/4B/2555.abstract AB Background: Previous in vivo studies performed in our laboratories demonstrated that anti-malarial drugs may or enhance or slow down Ehrlich's ascites tumour progression in infected mice. In the light of these observations, an in vitro study was undertaken to assess the response of human tumour cells to various anti-malarial drugs and consequently the safety of the anti-malarial therapy. Materials and Methods: MCF-7 cells and Vero cells (control line) were cultured in Eagle's minimum Essential medium (EMEM) and then subjected to graded concentrations of different anti-malarial drugs. Trypan-blue exclusion, MTT and Western blotting tests were performed. Results: The findings showed that pyrimethamine (12.5 mg/L), chloroquine (12.5 mg/L) and primaquine (1.56 mg/L) stimulated MCF-7 cell growth. The proliferative effect was inhibited by doxorubicin only in cultures treated with chloroquine and primaquine. These results might indicate that some anti-malarial drugs have a worrying tumour-promoting effect which should not be underestimated when undertaking anti-malarial prophylactic measures. Copyright© 2007 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved