Proliferation kinetics of MCF-7 cell cultures.I.Relative influence of estrogens and antiestrogens on the growth of the cell population

Abstract

The cellular hormone dependent cell line MCF-7 is a tumoral model of mammary cancer the growth kinetics of which operating under the influence of varied and opposed hormonal factors (estrogens and antiestrogens at precise concentration levels) has provided the means of knowing the action mechanisms of such agents.In this study, carried out with cultured MCF-7 cells under well defined experimental conditions, it has been shown that: 1) antiestrogens (OH-TAM) seem to be opposed to the growing process of the cellular population the elements of which, under the influence of OH-TAM, double the value of the parameter TD (Doubling Time); 2) estrogens (17-beta-E2) cancel out this effect and promote the growth of MCF-7 cells whether OH-TAM is previously or simultaneously added to the culture medium; 3) the observation of this estrogenic action needs accurate experimental conditions without which the effect may not be seen.