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Inhibition of postconfluent focus production in cultures of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

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Summary

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a potent inducer of differentiation and an antiestrogen, is shown to suppressin vitro postconfluent cell accumulation in the estrogen-dependent MCF-7 human breast tumor cell line. This dose-responsive suppression is apparent by 14 days of exposure with an EC50 between 10−10 and 10−11 M TCDD, and is characterized by reduced cell density (approximately 60% of controls after 14 days). This was attributed to a reduced formation in TCDD-treated cultures of multicellular foci which are chracteristic of cancer cell growthin vitro (less than 1/mm2 compared to control levels of 40/mm2). Preconfluent cell growth and viability of MCF-7 cells is not affected by 10−9 M TCDD. These results suggest that the principle of TCDD's activity may be useful in the study and possibly the management of estrogen-dependent breast tumors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research, New York State Department of Health, 12201, Albany, New York, USA

    John F. Gierthy & David W. Lincoln II

  2. the School of Public Health Sciences of the State University of New York, 12201, Albany, New York, USA

    John F. Gierthy

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  1. John F. Gierthy
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  2. David W. Lincoln II
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Gierthy, J.F., Lincoln, D.W. Inhibition of postconfluent focus production in cultures of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Breast Cancer Res Tr 12, 227–233 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01805943

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