[Heterogeneity of human breast cancer cells and their biological behavior].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the heterogeneity of human breast cancer cells, their influence on biological behavior of tumor cells and clinical implications.


METHODS
The subpopulations of MCF-7 breast cancer cells were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation. DNA content and cell cycle distribution were detected with flow cytometry. Tumor chemosensitivity analysis was performed with MTT assay.


RESULTS
Heterogeneity was observed in DNA content and cell cycle distribution among four subpopulations of breast cancer cells, which were related to their proliferation ability and chemosensitivity results.


CONCLUSIONS
Hereditary instability and intrinsic characteristics of most tumor cells, not only lead to tumor progression and heterogeneity but also cause the loss of monoclonality and the generation of subclones. Further study on some profiles of tumor heterogeneity such as DNA content, cell cycle distribution and their influence on tumor proliferation and chemosensitivity may very well improve the clinical treatment.
Tian
Hai-mei
HM
Medical Center for Tumor Detection, Cancer Institute (Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Fu
Jun
J
Cao
Dong-yan
DY
Shi
Xiao-Yan
XY
Li
Jie-xiu
JX
Shao
Chang-jun
CJ
Ma
Dong-mei
DM
Huang
Hong
H
Li
Mo
M
Qu
Ping
P
Liu
Zhao-yang
ZY
Zhang
Wei
W
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002455:Cell Division; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm