Publications by authors named "D W Sepkovic"

The Luminal A subtype of breast cancer expresses the estrogen receptor (ER)-α and progesterone receptor (PR), but not the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2 oncogene. This subtype of breast cancer responds to endocrine therapy involving the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators and/or inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis. However, these therapeutic agents are frequently associated with long-term systemic toxicity and acquired tumor resistance, emphasizing the need to identify non-toxic alternative treatments for chemo-endocrine therapy responsive breast cancer.

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In estrogen receptor (ER)+ MCF-7 cells, ER represents a ligand-activated transcription factor, and 17β-estradiol (E2) represents its physiological ligand. Maintenance of the human breast carcinoma-derived MCF-7 cells with 0.7% serum selected a proliferative sub-population of E2-responsive cells with transiently non-functional ER due to limited availability of E2.

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Hormonal exposures are known to influence breast cancer risk among women with a BRCA1 mutation. Thus, dietary factors that increase the 2-hydroxyestrone (OHE):16α-OHE ratio, a biomarker inversely related to breast cancer development, may also influence cancer risk. We conducted a dietary intervention study to evaluate the ability of 300 mg/day of 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) to increase the urinary 2:16α-OHE ratio in 20 women with a BRCA1 mutation.

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Chemo-endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor positive (ER(+)) breast cancer exhibits acquired tumor resistance. Herbal medicines provide integrative support for breast cancer patients. Present study compared the efficacy of aqueous extracts from Lycium barbarum bark (LBB) and Lycium barbarum fruit (LBF) on ER(+) MCF-7 cells.

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Background: The effects of 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) together with the Gardasil vaccine on cervical histology were evaluated using the K14-HPV16-transgenic mouse model. The possibility that DIM could enhance the efficacy of this preventive vaccine in this model was explored.

Materials And Methods: Transgenic mice were given 1000 mg/kg of DIM in the diet for 28 weeks.

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