Using a quantitative real-time RT-PCR technique we have compared the expression of a number of genes in two different human breast cancer model systems for development of acquired resistance to antiestrogens. The model system developed at the Danish Cancer Society comprises the cell lines MCF-7, MCF-7/TAMR-1, MCF-7/182R-6 and MCF-7/182R-7, and the model system developed at the Lombardi Cancer R...

Environmental estrogen mimics, including metalloestrogens that can activate estrogen receptor-alpha (ERa), may contribute to breast cancer risk. However, the underlying mechanisms through which these molecular mimics activate the ERa are generally poorly understood. With concern to this important question, we investigated whether intracellular calcium may mediate the cross-talk between signalin...

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is characterized by particular cutaneous manifestations such as non-scaring plaques mainly in sunlight exposed parts of the body along with specific serum autoantibodies (i.e. antinuclear antibodies (ANA), Ro/SSa, La/SSb). It is considered either idiopathic or drug induced. The role of chemotherapeutic agents in causing SCLE has been investigated wi...

The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-1β promote tumor angiogenesis that might be counteracted by the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), anakinra, a clinically approved agent. A diet with high amounts of phytoestrogens, such as flaxseed (Flax), genistein (GEN), and the mammalian lignan enterolactone (ENL), may affect breast cancer progression in a similar fashion as the antiestrogen tamoxi...

Animal and human tissues contain a microsomal protein that binds nonsteroidal antiestrogens with high affinity and specificity. The functions of these binding sites and the identity of their natural ligands are unknown. Following a report that certain sterols inhibit [3H]tamoxifen binding to this site, we attempted to define the structural requirements for maximal inhibition of [3H]tamoxifen bi...

We describe herein a patient presenting with bilateral estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast tumors who was enrolled in a clinical trial exploring molecular aberrations associated with hormone-refractory tumor cell proliferation. Short-term (two week) hormonal therapy with the aromatase inhibitor letrozole substantially reduced proliferation as measured by Ki67 immunohistochemistry in one tum...

A malignant hamster melanoma cell line HM-1 derived from the heterogenous malignant hamster melanoma MM1 contains a specific, high affinity binding protein for estrogens. Partial purification of the binding protein with ammonium sulfate (40% saturation) increased mean binding content (3.1 +/- 1.2 (SD) fmol/mg protein) 15-fold without any change in affinity (10(10) M-1). The binding protein sedi...