Inhibition of growth and proliferation of EcRG293 cell line expressing high-affinity gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor under the control of an inducible promoter by GnRH agonist (D-Lys6)GnRH and antagonist (Antide).

The mechanism by which gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists inhibit tumor cell growth and proliferation is controversial. Direct mediation of the antitumor effects through the high-affinity GnRH receptors has been questioned because of the low level of expression of receptors on the tumor cells. We have developed a human kidney embryonic cell line (EcRG293) that expresses high-affinity GnRH receptor under the control of an inducible promoter activated by muristerone A. Treatment of this cell line with either GnRH agonist (D-Lys6)GnRH or GnRH antagonist (Antide) resulted in a significant, time-dependent decrease in cell proliferation in muristerone A-induced cells but not in the uninduced cells, which do not express the GnRH receptor. These data suggest strongly that the antitumor effect of GnRH agonists and antagonist is specific, direct, and mediated through high-affinity GnRH receptors present on the cell membranes of tumor cells.