The puzzling issue of 'vehicle-treated control' when using ethanol as drug carrier for MCF-7 cells.
Ethanol has been commonly used as a vehicle for drug discovery purpose in vitro. The human breast cancer MCF-7 estrogen dependent cell line is a common in vitro model used for hormonal therapy study. However, special precaution is suggested when ethanol is used in pharmacological tests as solvent in order to evaluate the biological activity of potential drugs especially concerning about the MCF-7. Ethanol was shown to stimulate the proliferation of this estrogen receptor positive cell line. Here, we have further demonstrated that the dose responsive stimulatory effect of ethanol on the MCF-7 cells after pre-incubating the breast carcinoma cells with phenol red-free medium and stripped fetal bovine serum. Our findings open a discussion for the evaluation of ethanol as solvent for drug discovery and screening when using MCF-7 cells as a testing model.
Programme of Food Science and Technology, Division of Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai, China.
Robbie Yat-Kan
RY
Chan
Kenneth Ka-Ho
KK
Lee
Wai-Yeung
WY
Wong
Johnny Cheuk-On
JC
Tang
Kim-Hung
KH
Lam
Chor-Hing
CH
Cheng
Fung-Yi
FY
Lau
Stanton Hon-Lung
SH
Kok
Roberto
R
Gambari
Chung-Hin
CH
Chui
D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents / Q000494:pharmacology
D004337:Drug Carriers; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol
MCF-7 cells; ethanol; proliferation; vehicle