Abstract
Many breast tumors appear to follow a predictable clinical pattern, being initially responsive to endocrine therapy and to cytotoxic chemotherapy but ultimately exhibiting a phenotype resistant to both modalities. Using the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line as an example of an early phenotype (estrogen and progesterone receptor positive, steroid responsive, low metastatic potential), we have isolated and characterized a series of hormone-independent but hormone-responsive variants (MI11 and MCM/LCCl). However, these variants remain responsive to both antiestrogens and cytotoxic drugs (methotrexate and colchicine). MIII and MCF7/LCC1 cells appear to mimic some of the critical aspects of the early progression to a more aggressive phenotype. An examination of the phenotype of these cells suggests that some hormone-independent breast cancer cells are derived from hormone-dependent parental cells. The development of a hormone-independent phenotype can arise independently of acquisition of a cytotoxic drug resistant phenotype.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 115-123 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Acta Oncologica |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1992 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work was supported in part by Public Health Service grant, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute No. UOI 89-CA-01, American Institute for Cancer Research grant AICR No. 90BW65 and a Cancer Research Foundation of America Fellowship.
Keywords
- Breast cancer
- Cell biology
- Progression