A possible prolactin-related adverse effect of certain antineoplastic anthracyclines

Nonhormonal antineoplastic therapy can affect the endocrine system with con sequent effects on the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors. Amongst anthracy cline antibiotics, we have found daunorubicin and epirubicin able to acutel y stimulate prolactin (PRL) secretion both in vivo, in the rat, and in vitr o, from rat anterior pituitary cell cultures. Despite a similar structure, doxorubicin showed no such activity. Considering the possible role of PRL i n breast cancer cell proliferation, the effects of certain anthracyclines m ight be viewed as an adverse drug reaction involving the anterior pituitary gland. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.