PMID: 8952630Oct 1, 1996Paper

Cytotoxicity of tamoxifen and its principal metabolites in human breast cancer cell lines

Bulletin du cancer
N Bachmann-MoissonF Guillemin

Abstract

The antiestrogen tamoxifen (TAM) has been successfully used to treat breast cancer expressing estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER+ and PR+). However, the development of antiestrogen resistance is frequently observed in patients following long-term treatment. To better understand the mechanism of action of TAM and its main metabolites: N-desmethyltamoxifen (N-des-TAM) and 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OH-TAM), their growth inhibitory effect was studied in 5 breast cancer cell lines characterized by different estrogen receptor levels: MDA-MB 231 (ER-), MCF-7 R (ER-), T47D (ER+), ZR-75/1 (ER+) and MCF-7 (ER+) trying to reproduce a cellular heterogeneity encountered in human breast tumors. In this study, the effects of TAM, N-des-TAM and 40-H-TAM on the cell growth were tested at concentrations ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-6)M with or without estradiol (10(-8)M). Only 4-OH-TAM showed a clear antiestrogen dose-dependent effect. Moreover, the finding of an antiproliferative activity at the highest dose (10(-6)M) for TAM, 4-OH-TAM and N-des-TAM in the ER- and PR- cell line MDA-MB 231 supports the hypothesis that TAM could be effective on ER+ as well as ER- tumors by an ER-independent mechanism. Despite ER+ and PR+ status after 2, 4 and 6 da...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.