title: Antiproliferative effect of dexamethasone in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.
abstract: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used in the treatment of cancer to induce programmed cell death in the transformed cells of the hematopoietic system and to reduce side effects. Additionally, GCs are described as an inhibitor of certain chemotherapy or radiation‑induced apoptosis and also an inhibitor of cancer progression by downregulating or upregulating the expression of several genes. The present study used immunofluorescence to investigate the presence of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in MCF‑7 cells, and the cell culture growth was determined by cell counting the number of cells following exposure to GC and/or dexamethasone (Dex). The presence and immunoreactivity of the GR were confirmed, and treatment with Dex (10(-8)‑10(-7) M) caused an inhibitory effect (30‑35%) on the proliferative activity of the MCF‑7 cells. This growth inhibitory effect was possibly produced by the pro‑apopotic effect of Dex. Since Dex is administered systematically prior to breast cancer chemotherapy, the possible interactions between these drugs require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Iris South Hospital, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buxant
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nadège
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kindt
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laurent
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussels, 1070 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Noël
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saussez
mesh_terms: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D003907:Dexamethasone