Effects of anti-malarial drugs on MCF-7 and Vero cell replication.

Abstract

The findings showed that pyrimethamine (12.5 mg/L), chloroquine (12.5 mg/L) and primaquine (1.56 mg/L) stimulated MCF-7 cell growth. The proliferative effect was inhibited by doxorubicin only in cultures treated with chloroquine and primaquine. These results might indicate that some anti-malarial drugs have a worrying tumour-promoting effect which should not be underestimated when undertaking anti-malarial prophylactic measures.