Roscovitine inhibits ongoing DNA synthesis in human cervical cancer

The effect of roscovitine, a purine analogue and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor, on DNA synthesis rate in tissue mini-units obtained from human cervical cancers was investigated. Roscovitine (100 muM) gave a DNA synthesis rate inhibition by 61% (P < 0.0001; range 23-93%) within 30 min of incubation. This inhibitory effect was concentration-dependent. The results suggest that the inhibition of tumor DNA synthesis rate is due to a direct effect on the DNA synthesis machinery via presently unknown mechanisms, In addition, the potential application of CDKs inhibitors as preventive agents is discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.