Primary research
The stem cell factor antibody enhances the chemotherapeutic effect of adriamycin on chemoresistant breast cancer cells
1 University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK
2 Research & Development, Lincoln County Hospital, Greetwell Road, Lincoln, LN2 5QY, UK
3 Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Derby Road Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
Cancer Cell International 2012, 12:21 doi:10.1186/1475-2867-12-21
Published: 29 May 2012Abstract
Background
The outcome of chemotherapy in breast cancer is strongly influenced by multidrug resistance (MDR). Several surrogate markers of chemoresistance have been identified including - CD24 (cluster differentiation 24) expression, stem cell growth factor (SCF), B-cell lymphocyte protein 2 (Bcl-2) and annexin V. The present study aimed to examine the expression of CD24 in the sensitive breast cancer cell line MCF-7 (Michigan Foudation-7) and MCF-7/adriamycin resistant (MCF-7/AdrRes) cells, and, if minimal effective doses of the anthracycline drug adriamycin (0.579 μM and 88.2 μM) would be enhanced by the antibody to SCF (anti-SCF).
Methods
CD24 expression was analysed by flow cytometry. Both Bcl-2 and annexin V protein expression were quantitatively assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results
In MCF-7/AdrRes cells the expression of CD24 was significantly higher compared to MCF-7 cells, 86.6% and 16.3% (p < 0.001), respectively. Bcl-2 expression was significantly increased in the presence of adriamycin and SCF (p < 0.038) and decreased in the presence of adriamycin and anti-SCF. When adriamycin, anti-SCF and SCF were combined or when adriamycin was used alone the decrease in Bcl-2 expression was insignificantly altered. In the presence of both adriamycin and SCF the expression of annexin V was decreased. However, it was significantly increased in the presence of adriamycin and anti-SCF (p < 0.042), as well as adriamycin, anti-SCF and SCF combined.
In MCF-7 cells the effect of adriamycin alone or with either SCF, anti-SCF or anti-SCF or SCF combined, did not significantly alter the expression of Bcl-2. However, in the presence of both adriamycin and SCF the expression of annexin V was decreased, but was significantly increased in the presence of adriamycin and anti-SCF (p < 0.001), adriamycin, anti-SCF and SCF combined and adriamycin alone. Our results demonstrate that anti-SCF with low dose of adriamycin reduces Bcl-2 expression in MCF-7/AdrRes cells and increases annexin V expression in both MCF7/AdrRes and MCF-7 cells.
Conclusion
Adding anti-SCF to the chemotherapeutic regime of adriamycin may strongly enhance its chemotherapeutic effect in the treatment of patients with breast cancer.
