MCF-7
MCF-7 is a breast cancer cell line. MCF-7 is the acronym of Michigan Cancer Foundation-7, referring to the institute in Detroit where the cell line was established in 1973 by Herbert Soule and co-workers. The Michigan Cancer Foundation is now known as the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.
MCF-7 and two other breast cancer cell lines, named T-47D and MDA-MB-231, account for more than two-thirds of all abstracts reporting studies on mentioned breast cancer cell lines, as concluded from a Medline-based survey.
Isolation
MCF-7 was isolated in 1970 from a 69-year-old woman. The patient, Frances Mallon died in 1970 due to metastatic breast cancer. Her cells were the source of much of current knowledge about breast cancer.Prior to MCF-7, it was not possible for cancer researchers to obtain a mammary cell line that was capable of living longer than a few months.
Uses
MCF-7 has potential for new drug development, including anti-cancer drug testing, anti-estrogen drug resistance and antiplatelet drug development.Antiproliferation
Tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibits the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Treatment with anti-estrogens can modulate the secretion of insulin-like [growth factor binding proteins]. Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids such as EPA, DHA and AA has been reported to inhibit MCF-7 cell line growth and proliferation.Many studies indicate that the insulin-like growth [factor 1 receptor] is a crucial therapeutic target for treating cancer in MCF-7 cell lines. One notably effective treatment strategy is silencing this receptor using siRNA packaged in nanoparticles, which significantly suppresses the growth and proliferation of MCF-7 cancer cells.
The results of IC50 determination of compounds of Melilotus officinalis Pall. were published during 2018.
Tamoxifen increases FasL and TNF-α.
Characteristics of MCF-7 cells
MCF-7 cells have the following characteristics:- Primary tumor
- Originate from pleural effusion
- 17β-estradiol receptors present
- Proliferative response to estrogens
- Presence of progesterone receptors
- Contains 17β-estradiol-binding protein
- Cannot have ERBB2 gene amplification
- Tumorigenic in mice but only with estrogen supplementation if engrafted into the subcutaneous fat or mammary fat pad
- Tumorigenic in mice without estrogen supplementation if engrafted intraductally
- Luminal epithelial phenotype
- PIK3CA helical mutations were identified in MCF-7, but with low AKT activation.