Differential effects of soybean and fenugreek extracts on the growth of MCF-7 cells

The effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of soybean and fenugreek on the growth of MCF-7 cells, an estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cell line, has been examined in this study. Soybean is well known for the presence of phytoestrogens and fenugreek is reported to have medicinal use including anticancer properties. In a dose dependent manner soybean aqueous and ethanol extract promoted the growth and DNA synthesis in MCF-7 cells. On the contrary ethanol extract of fenugreek decreased the cell viability and induced early apoptotic changes such as flipping of phosphatidylserine and decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. Degradation of cellular DNA into fragments comprising multiples of approximately 180-200 base pair was also observed. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed the presence of a subG1 apoptotic population which was more prominent at higher concentrations along with cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Our experiments show that while the soybean extract acts as a promoter of MCF-7 cell growth, the fenugreek extract induces apoptosis.     

Modeling the estrogen receptor to growth factor receptor signaling switch in human breast cancer cells

Breast cancer cells develop resistance to endocrine therapies by shifting between estrogen receptor (ER)-regulated and growth factor receptor (GFR)-regulated survival signaling pathways. To study this switch, we propose a mathematical model of crosstalk between these pathways. The model explains why MCF7 sub-clones transfected with HER2 or EGFR show three GFR-distribution patterns, and why the bimodal distribution pattern can be reversibly modulated by estrogen. The model illustrates how transient overexpression of ER activates GFR signaling and promotes estrogen-independent growth. Understanding this survival-signaling switch can help in the design of future therapies to overcome resistance in breast cancer.