Effect of Digoxin on DNA Synthesis and Cell Viability in Human Breast Tumour Tissue in Organ Culture

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Abstract
10 biopsy specimens of primary breast tumours from 10 patients were classified histopathologically into 8 ductal carcinomas and 2 lobular carcinomas. Portions of tumour of approximately 1 mm3 were cultured in Medium 199 buffered with 20 mM Hepes for 48 h with or without addition of digoxin at concentrations from 1–2 μg/ml to 10–20 μg/ml of culture medium. Measurement of DNA synthesis by [3H]-thymidine incorporation, DNA analysis and histological examination showed that 5 biopsy specimens demonstrated epithelial cell survival in culture. These cultures were significantly (p < 0.001) affected by digoxin at concentrations above 10–20 ng/ml, with suppression of [3H]-thymidine incorporation and reduced epithelial cell viability. Parallel studies on 5 biopsy specimens of DMBA-induced rat mammary carcinomas showed no effects of digoxin up to 10 μg/ml of culture medium. These studies indicate the possibility of this class of drug being of use in growth suppression of breast tumours.