Estrogen-positive tumors account for 70% of all breast cancers. A common model to examine the estrogenic activity of compounds is through MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. MCF-7 are estrogen dependent breast cancer cells.

Using this cell line, a study was carried out to determine whether Femarelle^® (DT56a) has any estrogenic effect on the breast tissue.

MCF-7 cells were seeded and incubated for 96 hours in estrogen-depleted medium, and were then incubated with Femarelle^® or E₂ for 72 hours. The pharmacological dose of E₂ was added to the cultured cells. Femarelle^® was added in incremental doses, starting with the calculated pharmacological dose and increasing to 66,000 times the pharmacological dose.

Results

Unlike E₂, Femarelle^® did not stimulate estrogen receptors in the breast tissue, and therefore did not induce proliferation of cancer cells.

Effect of Femarelle^® on growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Conclusion

Femarelle^® does not trigger breast cancer cell growth. This finding further supports the accumulating data verifying the activity of Femarelle^® as a SERM.

Publication

European J. of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Reproductive Biology 2007; 130(1):140-141: "Pharmacological Doses of the Natural phyto-SERM DT56a (Femarelle) Have no Effect on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell-Line"; Yoles I., and Lilling G.