Antibodies directed against L1-CAM synergize with Genistein in inhibiting growth and survival pathways in SKOV3ip human ovarian cancer cells

Antibodies directed against the L1 cell adhesion protein inhibit growth of SKOV3ip human ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Responses of SKOV3ip cells ill vitro to anti-L1 mAb chCE7 and Genistein were investigated. Genistein potentiated the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of chCE7 in SKOV3ip cells. A combination of mAb chCE7 and Genistein strongly reduced the sensitivity of p44/42 (Erk1,2) kinase, Src kinase and Akt kinase to extracellular stimulation with serum, Epidermal Growth Factor and Hepatocyte Growth Factor. The observed synergy of antibodies directed against L1 with Genistein could lead to a new therapeutic option for ovarian cancer. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.