Use of Prolactin Receptor Antagonist and Chemotherapeutic Drug for Treating Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment, and more particularly to compositions and methods that may be useful for eliminating cancer cells with stem-like characteristics. The disclosed compositions and methods may also be useful for managing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer or endometrial (uterine) cancer with metastases; and visualizing the cancer cells in patient's body. The compositions of the instant invention include human prolactin receptor antagonist G129R.

1 . A method for inhibiting growth of ovarian cancer cells in a patient, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a human prolactin receptor antagonist and a chemotherapeutic drug. 
     
     
         2 . A method for inhibiting development of ovarian cancer metastases in a patient, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a human prolactin receptor antagonist and a chemotherapeutic drug. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prolactin receptor antagonist is human prolactin in which a glycine residue at position 129 is substituted with another amino acid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the amino acid is selected from the group consisting of valine, leucine, isoleucine, serine, threonine, proline, tyrosine, cysteine, methionine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, lysine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prolactin antagonist is G129R. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemotherapeutic drug is selected from the group consisting of docetaxel and paclitaxel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemotherapeutic drug is docetaxel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prolactin receptor antagonist is administered simultaneously or sequentially with a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemotherapeutic drug is paclitaxel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the prolactin receptor antagonist is human prolactin in which a glycine residue at position 129 is substituted with another amino acid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the amino acid is selected from the group consisting of valine, leucine, isoleucine, serine, threonine, proline, tyrosine, cysteine, methionine, arginine, histidine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, lysine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the prolactin antagonist is G129R. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the chemotherapeutic drug is selected from the group consisting of docetaxel and paclitaxel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the chemotherapeutic drug is docetaxel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the prolactin receptor antagonist is administered simultaneously or sequentially with a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the chemotherapeutic drug is paclitaxel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ovarian cancer cells express estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or HER2/neu. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the ovarian cancer cells express estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or HER2/neu. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ovarian cancer cells do not express estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or HER2/neu. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the ovarian cancer cells do not express estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or HER2/neu.