March 30, 2006
The effects of alcohol on breast cancer cell migration were analyzed.
"Alcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for hormone-dependent breast cancer. In vitro studies performed to understand the mechanisms by which ethanol acts on breast cancer cells have shown that this compound stimulates both proliferation and migration," scientists in France reported.
"In the present study, we show by gelatin zymography that, when exposed to ethanol, MCF-7 human breast cancer cells display a higher amount of active metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 in their culture medium. This increase is somewhat higher than those observed in the case of 17 beta-estradiol (E-2) exposure," explained N. Etique and colleagues, Universite Henri Poincare.
"As expected, anti-estrogen ICI 182,780 inhibits the E-2-induced overexpression of a well-known estrogen responsive gene, the progesterone receptor, in MCF-7 cells. ICI 182,780 also inhibits the E-2-induced increase in MMP-2 and -9 secretion. Nevertheless, in the case of ethanol exposure, this ER antagonist was only efficient on MMP-9 secretion. In addition, although MMP-9 transcription was not sensitive to E2 or ethanol, MMP-2 transcription was stimulated in MCF-7 cells exposed to ethanol.
"Collectively, these results give new insights into the effects of alcohol on breast cancer cell migration, which are not due solely to an estrogen-like activity of alcohol," the researchers concluded.
Etique and colleagues published their study in Oncology Reports (Ethanol stimulates the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Oncol Rep, 2006;15(3):603-608).
For more information, contact S. Flament, Universite Henri Poincare - Nancy I, Faculty Science, EA3442, Entree 1B, 9eme Etage, Blvd. Aiguillettes, BP 239, F-54506 Vandoeuvre Les Nancy, France.
Publisher contact information for the journal Oncology Reports is: Professor D.A. Spandidos, 1, S Merkouri St., Editorial Office, Athens 116 35, Greece.
Keywords: Aiguillettes, France, Breast Cancer, Breast Carcinoma, Endocrinology, Estradiols, Estrogen Receptor, Ethanol, Hormones, Matrix Metalloproteinase, Metalloproteinases, Oncology, Progesterone, Proteins, Proteomics, Risk Factor, Women's Health.
This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
To see more of the NewsRx.com, or to subscribe, go to http://www.newsrx.com.
©2004 NewsRx.com. All Rights Reserved. ©Copyright 2006, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com
