title: Growth response of colon cancer cell lines to selective estrogen receptor modulators.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to compare the "in vitro" effects of the selective estrogen receptor modulators, tamoxifen and raloxifene, on two human colon cancer cell lines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serial concentrations (0.1, 1, 5 and 10 microM) of tamoxifen and raloxifene were used and evaluated for cell proliferation, viability and apoptosis in HCT8 and HCT116 cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Micromolar doses of raloxifene significantly reduced HCT116 and HCT8 cell proliferation. Tamoxifen (5 microM) strongly reduced HCT8 cell growth with minor effects on HCT116 cells. Raloxifene (10 microM) was lethal on both cell lines, while 10 microM tamoxifen caused lethality only in HCT8 cells. Five microM raloxifene reduced cell viability in HCT8 and HCT116 cells, while 5 microM tamoxifen halved only HCT8 cell viability. Raloxifene and tamoxifen did not induce apoptosis in the two cell lines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tamoxifen, and even more raloxifene, were effective in reducing HCT8 and HCT116 cell proliferation and viability, suggesting their potential application in the prevention and therapy of colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Picariello
authors.forename: Gianna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martineti
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tognarini
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pampaloni
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tonelli
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Brandi
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D013629:Tamoxifen; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D004958:Estradiol