Anti-Estrogen Regulation of Macrophage Products That Influence Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and Susceptibility to Apoptosis

摘要

Macrophage function can be regulated by breast cancer cells to sustain an inflammatory microenvironment that promotes cancer cell proliferation and survival. MCF-7 cells suppress IL-10 expression by co- cultured macrophages. Activated and resting THP-1 macrophages were able to induce SNAIL expression in MCF-7 cells. SNAIL has been implicated in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition which precedes metastasis. These observations suggest that tumor-associated macrophages may promote progression-related gene expression at discrete steps in the progression cascade. Both Faslodex(TradeMark) and tamoxifen were effective in up-regulating pigment epithelium-derived factor, a potent anti-angiogenic cytokine, and in down- regulating SNAIL in MCF-7 cells.