EFFECT OF OXYSTEROL DERIVATIVES ON THE TIME-COURSE DEVELOPMENT OF HEPATOCARCINOMA IN TRANSGENIC MICE

Among their biological properties, several oxysterols display a strong er toxicity towards tumor cells than towards normal cells. Water-solub le phosphodiesters of 7beta-hydroxy-cholesterol (JB69 and XA29), that were proved to retain a specific antitumoral activity in vitro, have b een recently developed, allowing in vivo studies. They have been assay ed on transgenic mice expressing the Large T antigen of SV40 in their liver and developing systematically hepatocarcinoma within 8 months. W e show that JB69 and XA29 administered intraperitoneally into transgen ic mice, before the onset of adenoma, may prevent or delay the tumor d evelopment. Consequently, oxysterol derivatives might constitute new e fficient prodrugs against naturally occurring tumors.