Research

MMP7 expression regulated by endocrine therapy in ERβ-positive colon cancer cells

Yu-Jing Fang¹ , Zhi-Zhong Pan¹ , Li-Ren Li¹ , Zhen-Hai Lu¹ , Li-Yi Zhang² and De-Sen Wan¹

¹  Department of Colorectal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China

²  Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research 2009, 28:132doi:10.1186/1756-9966-28-132

Published:	29 September 2009

Abstract

Background

Many studies have shown that colon cancer is an estrogen-dependent carcinoma. This study explored the efficacy of endocrine therapy in colon cancer cells with high metastatic potential (HT29). We investigated the proliferation of HT29 cells after exposure to endocrine therapy (tamoxifen) and 5-FU.

Methods

Apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases 7 (MMP-7) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot. The migration capability of treated cells was determined with wound scratch assay.

Results

Tamoxifen alone, 5-FU alone, and the combination of the two drugs can significantly inhibit HT29 cell proliferation and migration, block the cells in G₂/M phase and induce cell apoptosis. These drugs also can down-regulate MMP7 and ERβ expression.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that endocrine therapy is an efficient therapy for inhibiting ERβ-positive colon cancer cell proliferation and migration via down-regulation of MMP7.