MMP7 expression regulated by endocrine therapy in ERbeta-positive colon cancer cells.
BACKGROUND
Many studies have shown that colon cancer is an estrogen-dependent carcinoma. This study explored the efficacy of endocrine therapy in colon cancer cells with high metastatic potential (HT29). We investigated the proliferation of HT29 cells after exposure to endocrine therapy (tamoxifen) and 5-FU.


METHODS
Apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases 7 (MMP-7) and estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot. The migration capability of treated cells was determined with wound scratch assay.


RESULTS
Tamoxifen alone, 5-FU alone, and the combination of the two drugs can significantly inhibit HT29 cell proliferation and migration, block the cells in G2/M phase and induce cell apoptosis. These drugs also can down-regulate MMP7 and ERbeta expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that endocrine therapy is an efficient therapy for inhibiting ERbeta-positive colon cancer cell proliferation and migration via down-regulation of MMP7.
Department of Colorectal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China. fangyj@sysucc.org.cn
Yu-Jing
YJ
Fang
Zhi-Zhong
ZZ
Pan
Li-Ren
LR
Li
Zhen-Hai
ZH
Lu
Li-Yi
LY
Zhang
De-Sen
DS
Wan
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D013629:Tamoxifen; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; D005472:Fluorouracil