Evaluation of the growth rate of MCF-7 breast cancer multicellular spheroids using three mathematical models |
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Authors: | N Olea M Villalobos M I Nuñez J Elvira J M Ruiz de Almodóvar V Pedraza |
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Institution: | Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Unisersiry of Granada, 18071-Granada. Spain |
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Abstract: | Abstract. Growth data on 60 multicellular spheroids of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were fitted, on an individual basis, by the Gompertz, Bertalanffy and logistic equations. MCF-7 spheroids, initiated and grown in medium containing oestrogens, exhibited a growth rate that decreased continuously as spheroid size increased. Plots of spheroid volume v. time generated sigmoid curves that showed an early portion with an approximately exponential volume increase; a middle region or retardation phase characterized by a continuously decreasing growth rate; and, finally, a late segment or plateau phase approaching zero growth rate, that permitted an estimate of the maximum spheroid size (Vmax). Growth curves generated by MCF-7 spheroids under different experimental conditions (hormones, drugs and radiation exposures) can be compared after normalization. Linearized forms of the fitted Gompertz curves provided a convenient way to express differences in growth rate. |
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