In vivo inhibition of estrone sulfatase activity and growth of nitrosomethylurea-induced mammary tumors by 667 COUMATE.

The development of potent steroid sulfatase inhibitors is an important new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of postmenopausal women with breast cancer. A series of tricyclic coumarin sulfamates were synthesized, and their inhibitory properties were examined in vitro and in vivo. In a placental microsomal assay system, 667 COUMATE emerged as the most potent inhibitor with an IC50 of 8 nM. Administration of a single dose (10 mg/kg, p.o.) of 667 COUMATE inhibited rat liver estrone sulfatase activity by 93%. 667 COUMATE was devoid of estrogenicity, as indicated by its failure to stimulate the growth of uteri in ovariectomized rats. In vivo, estrone sulfate-stimulated growth of uteri in ovariectomized rats was inhibited by 667 COUMATE. Using the nitrosomethylurea-induced mammary tumor model, we found that 667 COUMATE caused regression of estrone sulfate-stimulated tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. The identification of 667 COUMATE as a potent steroid sulfatase inhibitor will enable the therapeutic potential of this type of therapy to be evaluated.