Inhibition of hepatoma cell growth by a steroid anti-hormone.

The antiproliferative effect of the potent antiglucocorticoid and antiprogestin RU38486, an 11 beta-substituted nor-steroid, was investigated on the HTC cell line. Its action clearly visualized in absence of serum, is reversible. Dexamethasone does whereas progesterone does not protect the cells against the cytostatic effect. Thus, the latter rather depends on the antiglucocorticoid- and not on the antiprogestin-function of RU38486. Taking into account the antiproliferative action on HTC cells together with the antiglucocorticoid behaviour in hepatocytes and hepatomas, our results suggest that RU38486 might represent a potential drug for liver tumour therapy.