Recombinant Human Mullerian Inhibiting Substance Inhibits Long-term Growth of MIS Type II Receptor–Directed Transgenic Mouse Ovarian Cancers In vivo

Abstract

Purpose: Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) is a glycoprotein hormone that causes Mullerian duct regression in male embryos. In short-term experiments, recombinant human MIS (rhMIS) inhibits xenotransplanted human ovarian cancer cell lines that are thought to be of Mullerian origin. Because this highly lethal cancer has a high recurrence rate after conventional chemotherapy, new treatments are warranted. We examined whether rhMIS as a novel, nontoxic, naturally occurring growth inhibitor can be an effective anticancer drug in long-term studies in vivo against allograft tumors that recapitulate human ovarian carcinoma.