Cell biologist Eva Lee of the University of California, Irvine, who led the research published in Friday’s edition of the journal Science, reported that a pill that women can take to abort a fetus, has the ability to put a strangle hold on the gene primarily responsible for breast cancer. The drug is called RU-486, and when given to genetically developed mice who were destined to develop breast cancer, proved to halt the progression of the disease.
Researchers said they found that progesterone, which is involved in the female reproductive cycle, stimulates the proliferation of breast cells carrying a gene linked to breast cancer, possibly feeding tumor growth.
Mifepristone is the chemical compound present in RU-486, sold as Mifeprex and made by Danco Laboratories LLC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in 2000 for medical abortions in women pregnant as long as seven weeks.