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CD44, the transmembrane receptor for hyaluronan, is implicated in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The expression of CD44 and its variants is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Here, we investigated the effect of silibinin (a polyphenolic flavonolignan of the herbal plant of Silybum marianum, milk thistle) on the epidermal growth factor (EGF) ligand-induced CD44 expression in human breast cancer cells. The levels of CD44 mRNA and protein expression were greatly increased by EGF and by TGF-α in SKBR3 and BT474 breast cancer cells. In contrast, EGFR ligand-induced CD44 expression was reduced by EGFR inhibitors, AG1478 and lapatinib, respectively. Interestingly, we observed that EGFR ligand-induced CD44 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression was reduced by silibinin treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, silibinin suppressed the EGF-induced phosphorylation of EGFR and extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), a downstream signaling molecule of EGFR. Therefore, we suggest that silibinin prevents the EGFR signaling pathway and may be used as an effective drug for the inhibition of metastasis of human breast cancer.

Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-induced signaling pathways has been correlated with tumor progression, invasion and metastasis in a variety of cancers including breast carcinoma, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis for their extracellular matrix (ECM)-proteolytic activity. However, the correlation of EGFR pathway with MMP expression in breast cancer has not been established. The aim of this study was to elucidate the interaction between EGFR ligands and their signaling pathway and MMP expression which might be closely related with breast cancer pathogenesis. We investigated the effect of EGF ligands on the MMP1 expression in SK-BR3 cell lines using RT-PCR, Western blot, ELISA and EMSA. Treatments with EGFR ligands, EGF and TGF-α enhanced MMP1 expression at the level of both transcription and translation in SK-BR3 breast cancer cells. EGF and TGF-α treatment resulted in phosphorylation of EGFR, and consequent activation of ERK1/2 pathway. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors of HER family, erlotinib, lapatinib and canertinib suppressed EGF-ligands mediated MMP1 overexpression. The specific MEK inhibitor, U0126, significantly blocks EGF and TGF-α-mediated ERK1/2 activation and subsequent MMP1 induction in SK-BR3 cells. Inhibition of the Akt pathway with LY294002 paradoxically augmented MMP1 expression by reciprocal activation of ERK1/2 pathway. These data suggest that invasive potential of SK-BR3 cell would be affected by these drugs by suppression of EGFR ligands-induced MMP1 expression., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: We have investigated mechanisms of acquired resistance to the HER2 antibody trastuzumab in BT-474 human breast cancer cells., Experimental Design: BT-474 xenografts established in athymic nude mice were eliminated by trastuzumab. Continuous cell lines (HR for Herceptin resistant) were generated from tumors that recurred in the presence of continuous antibody therapy., Results: The isolated cells behaved resistant to trastuzumab in culture as well as when reinjected into nude mice. They retained HER2 gene amplification and trastuzumab binding and were exquisitely sensitive to peripheral blood mononuclear cells ex vivo in the presence of the antibody. The HR cells exhibited higher levels of phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and EGFR/HER2 heterodimers. Phosphorylation of HER2 in HR cells was inhibited by the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors erlotinib and gefitinib. Gefitinib also inhibited the basal association of p85 with phosphorylated HER3 in HR cells. Both inhibitors as well as the dual EGFR/HER2 inhibitor, lapatinib, induced apoptosis of the HR cells in culture. Growth of established HR5 xenografts was inhibited by erlotinib in vivo. In addition, the HR cells overexpressed EGFR, transforming growth factor alpha, heparin-binding EGF, and heregulin RNAs compared with the parental trastuzumab-sensitive cells., Conclusions: These results are consistent with the inability of trastuzumab to block the heterodimerization of HER2 and suggest that amplification of ligand-induced activation of ErbB receptors is a plausible mechanism of acquired resistance to trastuzumab that should be investigated in primary mammary cancers.

The development of cancer prevention strategies depends on the elucidation of molecular pathways underlying oncogenesis. In a previous proteomic study of matched normal breast ducts and Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), we identified overexpression of Rab11a in DCIS. Rab11a is not well studied in cancer, but is known to regulate the recycling of internalized cell surface proteins and receptors from the early endosome through the trans-Golgi network. Using immunohistochemistry, we confirmed our observation, noting increased Rab11a expression in 19 of 22 (86%) DCIS cases compared to matched normal breast epithelium. To study the function of Rab11a, immortal, nontumorigenic MCF10A breast cells were stimulated with ligands to the EGF receptor (EGFR) after transfection with empty vector (control), Rab11a, or a S25N dominant-negative (DN) Rab11a. Using an iodinated ligand:receptor recycling assay, transfection of Rab11a accelerated, while DN-Rab11a postponed EGFR recycling in vitro. The signaling and in vitro phenotypic consequences of Rab11a expression and function were studied. Transfection of DN-Rab11a increased Erk1/2 activation downstream of EGF, but exerted no effect on the Akt pathway. Expression of DN-Rab11a inhibited MCF10A proliferation by 50-60%, and also inhibited anchorage-dependent colonization. Notably, DN-Rab11a transfection increased motility toward EGFR ligands. The data provide a first demonstration that Rab11a modulates EGFR recycling, and promotes the proliferation but inhibits the motility of an immortal breast line, consistent with the DCIS phenotype.

There is considerable evidence that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) cross-talk in breast cancer cells. In the present study, we have examined whether EGFR/IGF-IR cross-talk exists in EGFR-positive tamoxifen-resistant variants of MCF-7 (Tam-R) and T47D (T47D-R) breast cancer cell lines. Although Tam-R cells expressed reduced IGF-IR protein levels compared with their wild-type MCF-7 counterparts, phosphorylated IGF-IR protein levels were equivalent in the two cell lines under basal growth conditions, possibly as a consequence of increased IGF-II expression in Tam-R cells. IGF-II activated both IGF-IR and EGFR in Tam-R cells, whereas only activation of IGF-IR was observed in wild-type cells. In contrast, epidermal growth factor rapidly induced EGFR, but not IGF-IR, phosphorylation in Tam-R cells. IGF-II promoted direct association of c-SRC with IGF-IR, phosphorylated c-SRC, and increased EGFR phosphorylation at tyrosine 845, a c-SRC-dependent phosphorylation site. Pretreatment with either AG1024 (IGF-IR-specific inhibitor) or an IGF-II neutralizing antibody inhibited basal IGF-IR, c-SRC, and EGFR phosphorylation, and AG1024 significantly reduced Tam-R basal cell growth. The c-SRC inhibitor SU6656 also inhibited growth, reduced basal and IGF-II-induced c-SRC and EGFR phosphorylation, and blocked EGFR activation by TGFalpha. Similarly, in T47D-R cells, AG1024 and SU6656 inhibited basal and IGF-II-induced phosphorylation of c-SRC and EGFR, and SU6656 reduced TGFalpha-induced EGFR activity. These results suggest the existence of a unidirectional IGF-IR/EGFR cross-talk mechanism whereby IGF-II, acting through the IGF-IR, regulates basal and ligand-activated EGFR signaling and cell proliferation in a c-SRC-dependent manner in Tam-R cells. This cross-talk between IGF-IR and EGFR is not unique to Tam-R cells because this mechanism is also active in a tamoxifen-resistant T47D-R cell line.

The mechanism of action of ZR2002, a chimeric amino quinazoline designed to possess mixed EGFR tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitory and DNA targeting properties, was compared to those of ZR01, a reversible inhibitor of the same class and PD168393, a known irreversible inhibitor of EGFR. ZR2002 exhibited 4-fold stronger EGFR TK inhibitory activity than its structural homologue ZR01 but was approximately 3-fold less active than the 6-acrylamidoquinazoline PD168393. It preferentially blocked EGF and TGFalpha-induced cell growth over PDGF and serum. It also inhibited signal transduction in heregulin-stimulated breast tumour cells, indicating that it does not only block EGFR but also its closely related erbB2 gene product. In contrast to its structural homologues, ZR2002 was capable of inducing significant levels of DNA strand breaks in MDA-MB-468 cells after a short 2 hr drug exposure at a concentration as low as 10 microM. Reversibility studies using whole cell autophosphorylation and growth assays in human breast cell lines showed that in contrast to its reversible inhibitor counterpart ZR01, ZR2002 induced irreversible inhibition of EGF-stimulated autophosphorylation in MDA-MB-468 cells and irreversible inhibition of cell growth. Moreover despite possessing a weaker binding affinity than PD168393, it induced a significantly more sustained antiproliferative effect than the latter after a pulse 2 hr exposure. More importantly, in contrast to ZR01 and PD168393, ZR2002 was capable of inducing significant levels of cell death by apoptosis in MDA-MB-468 cells. The results in toto suggest that the superior antiproliferative potency of ZR2002 may be due to its ability to induce a protracted blockade of receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling while damaging cellular DNA, a combination of events that may trigger cell-killing by apoptosis.

Elevated levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are predictive of increased invasion and metastasis in many human cancers. In the present study, we have shown that two distinct pathways regulate cell migration in EGFR-overexpressing invasive cells such as MDA 468 breast cancer cells: mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK or ERK 1 and 2) pathways play a major role in early stages to cell migration; and protein kinase C delta isoforms (PKC-delta) play a significant role in later stages of sustained cell migration. Inhibition of MAPK activity with MAP kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 blocks early stages of cell migration (up to 4 h); however, cells revert back to enhanced cell migration after 4 h. While inhibition of PKC-delta activity with rottlerin or dominant-negative PKC-delta expression blocks sustained cell migration after 4 h and up to 12 h, the combination of MAPK and PKC inhibitors completely blocked transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha)-induced cell migration in EGFR-overexpressing breast cancer cells. However, inhibition of MAPK activity completely blocked cell migration in low EGFR-expressing non-invasive breast cancer cells such as MCF-7 cells. Forced overexpression of EGFR in MCF-7 cells (EGFR/MCF-7 cells) resulted in cell migration patterns seen in MDA 468 cells, that is, MAPK pathways play a major role in early stages to cell migration, and PKC-delta plays a major role in later stages of sustained cell migration. The above data demonstrate that EGFR-overexpressing invasive cells have the ability to compensate the loss of MAPK-mediated signaling through activation of PKC-delta signaling for cell migration, which plays a major role in invasion and metastasis. In addition, data suggest that inhibition of MAPK and PKC-delta signaling pathways should abrogate cell migration and invasion in EGFR-overexpressing human breast cancer cells.

Growth factors are essential for cellular growth and differentiation in both normal and malignant human breast epithelial cells. In the present study we investigated the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor (COUP-TF) expression in human breast cancer cells. The orphan receptors COUP-TFI and COUP-TFII are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. The high degree of evolutionary conservation of these proteins strongly argues for an important biological function. COUP-TF expression was highest in SK-BR3 cells (approximately 130 amol/ micro g total RNA), while the lowest COUP-TF expression was observed in MCF-7 cells (3.5 amol/ micro g total RNA). While treatment of EGF, TGFalpha and PMA induced expression of COUP-TFII, COUP-TFI did not respond to these agents. Oncostatin M (OSM) is known to exert an antiproliferative effect in breast cancer cells. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with OSM resulted in an approximately 90% reduction of COUP-TFII mRNA expression. In SK-BR3 cells, treatment with the MEK inhibitor UO126 resulted in a profound suppression of endogenous COUP-TFII expression. Furthermore, cotreatment with UO126 prevented induction of COUP-TFII expression by EGF in MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, our data provide evidence, for the first time, that mitogenic substances which activate the MAP kinase pathway, can induce COUP-TFII expression. Our results strongly suggest that an active MAP kinase pathway is essential for COUP-TFII expression in human breast cancer cells.

Long-term estrogen deprivation causes human breast cancer cells to develop hypersensitivity to the mitogenic effect of estradiol (E(2)). Our prior studies demonstrated an association between enhanced MAPK activation and hypersensitivity in long-term estrogen-deprived (LTED) MCF-7 cells. Herein, we report that MAPK is constitutively activated in LTED cells and not dependent on serum factors. Additionally, activated MAPK levels fall upon reversion of the hypersensitivity. Importantly, we now provide direct evidence that enhanced MAPK causes hypersensitivity to E(2). We activated MAPK in wild-type MCF-7 cells using TGFalpha, and demonstrated a 2-3 log enhancement of sensitivity to E(2). PD98059 abrogated the TGFalpha-induced effect, indicating that MAPK activation is responsible for E(2) hypersensitivity. To determine the level at which MAPK activation enhanced E(2) sensitivity, we examined the dose-response effects of E(2) on several transcriptional readouts, including ERE-reporter activity and the levels of progesterone receptor and pS2. Wild-type and LTED cells exhibited nearly identical responses to E(2), suggesting that mechanisms downstream of estrogen receptor-mediated transcription are involved in inducing hypersensitivity. In support of this possibility, LTED and TGFalpha-treated wild-type cells were hypersensitive to the effects of E(2) on the key cell cycle regulator, E2F1.

Different growth factors are supposed to be involved in evolution of breast cancer. Radiation therapy is used in treatment of breast cancer patients, and the possible relationships between the influence of growth factors on cells and their radiation sensitivity are therefore of interest. Cell growth and radiation sensitivity of the human oestrogen and progesterone receptor positive cell line T-47D were investigated following exposure to the growth factors IGF-1, TGF-alpha and TGF-beta. Experiments were done with standard medium and in growth factor defined medium. Changes in cell cycle distribution were investigated by flow cytometry. The cell growth was significantly decreased by removal of growth factors in the culture medium, an effect which partly could be reversed by supplementation of growth factors. The growth factors decreased the cellular doubling time in standard medium, but to a smaller extent than seen in growth factor defined medium. The radiation sensitivity and plating efficiency were slightly affected by growth factor defined versus standard growth conditions. Additional growth factor exposure was able to some extent to change the radiation sensitivity, mainly by effects due to changes in repair of sublethal damage. Only minor changes were seen in phase distribution of these cells. Cellular growth was dependent on presence of different growth factors, and changes in growth factor conditions greatly influenced the cellular doubling time in vitro. Corresponding changes in radiation sensitivity were minor for doses relevant for radiation therapy.

Aberrrant signaling by the epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR (HER1, erbB1)] and/or HER2/neu tyrosine kinases is present in a cohort of breast carcinomas. Because HER2 is constitutively phosphorylated in some breast tumors, we speculated that, in these cancers, transmodulation of HER2 may occur via EGFR signaling. To test this possibility, we examined the effect of EGFR-specific kinase inhibitors against the HER2-overexpressing human breast tumor lines BT-474, SKBR-3, MDA-361, and MDA-453. ZD1839 (Iressa) is an ATP-mimetic that inhibits the purified EGFR and HER2 kinases in vitro with an IC(50) of 0.033 and >3.7 microM, respectively. The specificity of ZD1839 against EGFR was confirmed in Rat1 fibroblasts transfected with EGFR or HER2 chimeric receptors activated by synthetic ligands without the interference of endogenous receptors. Treatment of all breast cancer cell lines (except MDA-453) with 1 microM ZD1839 almost completely eliminated HER2 phosphorylation. In contrast, the incorporation of [gamma-(32)P]ATP in vitro onto HER2 receptors isolated from BT-474 cells was unaffected by 1 microM ZD1839. EGFR is expressed by BT-474, SKBR-3, and MDA-361 but not by MDA-453 cells, suggesting that ZD1839-mediated inhibition of the EGFR kinase explained the inhibition of HER2 phosphorylation in vivo. In SKBR-3 cells, ZD1839 exhibited a greater growth-inhibitory effect than Herceptin, a monoclonal antibody against the HER2 ectodomain. In both SKBR-3 and BT-474 cells, treatment with ZD1839 plus Herceptin induced a greater apoptotic effect than either inhibitor alone. Finally, ZD1839 completely prevented growth of BT-474 xenografts established in nude mice and enhanced the antitumor effect of Herceptin. These data imply that EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors will be effective against HER2-overexpressing breast tumor cells that also express EGFR and support their use in combination with HER2 antibodies, such as Herceptin, against mammary carcinomas with high levels of the HER2 proto-oncogene.

We have shown that ER-negative and invasive human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 have constitutively higher mitogen activated protein kinase (ERK1&2/MAPK) when compared to the ER-positive and non-invasive MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. In MCF-7 cells, TGFalpha stimulation induced only transient MAPK activation, leading to a transient increase in cell migration. However, MDA 231 and MDA 468 cells, TGFalpha stimulation induced sustained MAPK activation, which correlated with enhanced cell motility and in vitro invasion. Serum stimulation activates ERK/MAPK activity persistently in both ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cells, leading to enhanced and sustained cell migration. Inhibition of MAPK activation by anti-sense MEK expression in MDA-MB-468 cells significantly inhibits cell migration and in vitro invasion. In contrast, MCF-7 cells expressing constitutively activated MEK show a significant increase in MAPK activity and cell migration, but this failed to enhance in vitro invasion. The kinetic profiles of MAPK activation and inhibition show a relationship between the duration and magnitude of MAPK activation and cell migration in both ER-positive and ER-negative human breast cancer cells. These studies show that cell motility is modulated by the magnitude and the duration of MAPK activation; but increased activation of MAPK may not be sufficient to allow in vitro invasion in non-invasive MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane receptor whose overexpression in breast cancer predicts for poor prognosis and is inversely correlated with expression of estrogen receptor (ER). This study was designed to investigate whether estrogen plays an active role in suppression of EGFR expression in estrogen-responsive breast cancer cell lines expressing low levels of EGFR. Upon withdrawal of estrogen, EGFR mRNA and protein increased 3-6 fold in MCF-7, T47D, and BT474 ER+ breast cancer cells. This was reversible upon addition of estradiol back to the culture media, but only after prolonged treatment. Nuclear run-on assays and studies with the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D demonstrated that regulation is at the transcriptional level. These results indicate that in the presence of estrogen, ER+ breast cancer cells possess active mechanisms to suppress EGFR expression. Up-regulation of EGFR in response to estrogen depletion and growth inhibition could represent an attempt to rescue cell growth by utilizing an alternative pathway. Indeed, we found that estrogen-depleted breast cancer cells are more sensitive to the mitogenic effects of EGF and TGF-alpha, and simultaneous blockade of both estrogen and EGFR signaling pathways induced cell death. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 36: 232-246, 2001., (Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) contributes to the progression of mammary carcinogenesis in part through synergistic augmentation of estradiol (E2) action. To investigate this further, we sought to determine (1) whether the duration of TGF-alpha treatment might influence the nature of the TGF-alpha/E2 interaction, and (2) whether TGF-alpha would behave in a similar manner when combined with phytoestrogens. To this end, we transfected T47-D breast cancer cells with an estrogen-responsive reporter and then treated the cells (for 4-48 h) with varying concentrations of TGF-alpha, E2, the antiestrogen 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (HOT), and/or one of three phytoestrogens. Our findings revealed that TGF-alpha has short-term synergistic and long-term inhibitory effects on E2- and phytoestrogen-regulated gene expression. Furthermore, this secondary inhibition of E2 action by TGF-alpha was similar in magnitude to that imposed by HOT. These findings demonstrate a novel role for TGF-alpha and invite reevaluation of current models regarding TGF-alphas interactions with E2 in breast cancer cells. Our results also raise the possibility that phytoestrogens, which interact with TGF-alpha in a manner conceptually identical to that of E2, may subserve a regulatory function in breast cancer cells.

Treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-negative MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cells with 10 nM 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induced formation of a nuclear aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor complex as determined by ligand-binding and gel electrophoretic mobility shift assays. TCDD also induced CYP1A1-dependent activity in MDA-MB-468 cells, which represents the first ER-negative Ah receptor-positive human breast cancer cell line that has been identified. Treatment of this cell line with TCDD and related compounds also caused a 50% inhibition of cell growth, which resembled the growth inhibitory effects previously reported for epidermal growth factor (EGF). However, EGF expression is minimal in this cell line and is not induced by TCDD; moreover, EGF and TCDD induced a different pattern of oncogene expression and apoptosis in MDA-MB-468 cells. In contrast, TCDD caused a rapid and sustained induction of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) gene expression and secreted protein (nearly 2-fold); moreover, the growth-inhibitory effects of TCDD could be blocked by antibodies to the EGF receptor. In a separate experiment, it was shown that TGF alpha also inhibited growth of MDA-MB-468 cells. The results of this study indicate that the mechanism of growth inhibition of MDA-MB-468 cells by TCDD is due to induction of TGF alpha, which is a potent antimitogen in this cell breast cancer line.

The response of two endogenous, estrogen-induced genes, LIV-1 and pS2, to growth factor stimulation of MCF-7 cells was examined. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were each able to induce an increase in the two mRNAs in the absence of estradiol, and their effects were additive to that of an optimally inducing concentration (10(-8) M) of the hormone. Induction by EGF and TGF alpha, but not by IGF-1, were also additive to induction by a saturating concentration (2 microg/ml) of insulin. TGFbeta, an antimitogenic growth factor for MCF-7 cells, did not induce LIV-1 or pS2 mRNA but inhibited induction by estradiol. Increases in mRNA were shown to reflect increases in specific gene transcription. Induction by growth factors, but not by estradiol, was dependent upon protein synthesis. Induction by both growth factors and estradiol was inhibited by the pure antiestrogen, ICI 164384 (ICI), and by the mixed agonist/antagonist, tamoxifen. Despite differences in patterns of expression in vivo and in vitro, both LIV-1 and pS2 appeared to be responsive to growth factors via a mechanism distinct from that of estradiol but requiring the estrogen receptor.

Epidemiological and experimental data suggest a role for polyunsaturated fatty acids in the etiology of breast cancer. In this report we have studied arachidonic acid and linoleic acid metabolism in the human breast carcinoma cell line BT-20 which overexpresses both EGF receptor and the homologous erbB-2 oncogene product. EGF and TGF alpha stimulated DNA synthesis in these cells which was attenuated by the addition of a lipoxygenase inhibitor, NDGA. The addition of a prostaglandin H synthase inhibitor did not alter DNA synthesis. Analytical studies reveal little arachidonic acid metabolism while linoleic acid was metabolized to 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE). The formation of 13-HODE was inhibited by the addition of NDGA and was dependent on EGF or TGF alpha. These results suggest the metabolism of linoleic acid by a n-6 or 15-lipoxygenase regulated by EGF/TGF alpha, RT-PCR was used to isolate a clone, and sequenced the cDNA for this enzyme and it was found to be identical to the human 15-lipoxygenase previously characterized from human pulmonary tissue. EGF/TGF alpha did not alter the expression of this enzyme suggesting a potential post-translational regulation of activity. This study provides a link between metabolism of linoleic acid and growth factor regulation of cell proliferation in a human breast carcinoma cell line.

The levels of the matrix metalloproteinase MMP1 mRNA in three breast tumour cell lines with varying numbers of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors, MDA-MB-231, T47D and MCF7, were investigated following treatment with EGF or TGF alpha in serum-free medium for up to 24 h. A higher level of MMP1 mRNA was found in both control and treated MDA-MB-231 cells compared with the other two cell lines. A 2-fold increase in MMP1 transcripts was observed in MDA-MB-231 cells following a 30 min treatment with EGF and 2 h with TGF alpha. An increase in MMP1 transcripts following serum deprivation in the absence of growth factor stimulation was also seen. This effect was not evident with the other cell lines. In MDA-MB-231 cells, low concentrations of MMP1 protein were detected in medium from treated cells and was only significantly increased after 24 h but it was inhibited by cycloheximide. The early effect of EGF on MMP1 expression was not inhibited by cycloheximide. Treatment with cycloheximide for longer periods produced increased transcripts of MMP1, TGF alpha and EGF-receptor, suggesting the activation of processes for tissue breakdown and subsequent repair may occur on prolonged inhibition of protein synthesis. These results confirm a relationship between EGF-receptor stimulation and MMP1 expression in some EGF-receptor positive tumour cells, which, in part, occurs at the transcriptional level, and have implications for the invasive progression of EGF-receptor positive tumours particularly in areas of nutritional deprivation.

Background: Reports about the effects of progestins on cell proliferation are contradictory. We investigated the effect of progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, megestrol acetate, ORG 2058 and the antiprogestin RU 486 on two hormone-dependent cell lines, T47D and MCF-7 (characterized by a different content of PgR). The aim of the study was to understand the eventual ability of progestins to interfere with cell proliferation stimulated by estradiol and various growth factors (TGF-a, IGF-I, IGF-II)., Material and Methods: MCF-7 and T47D cells were maintained in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 2% FCS while experiments were carried out in the same culture medium using DCC-stripped FCS., Results: In the absence of estradiol, all tested progestins generally tended to stimulate cell growth in the T47D cell line, but in the MCF-7 cell line only the highest concentrations (10(-6) M and 10(-7) M) were found to be stimulatory. In contrast, in the presence of 10(-8) M estradiol, progestins tended to inhibit cell growth stimulation in MCF-7 and T47D cell lines. The antiprogestin RU 486 exerted a stimulatory effect similar to that promoted by estradiol itself in MCF-7 cells. Instead, in T47D cells, RU 486 did not modify cell growth in the absence of estradiol, but tended to counteract the estradiol-promoted cell proliferation. In MCF-7 cells, medroxyprogesterone acetate and megestrol acetate were also able to effectively counteract the cell growth induced by TGF-alpha. However, none of these progestins was able to abolish cell proliferation promoted by IGF-I or IGF-II., Conclusion: We therefore concluded that failure to respond to progestin treatment may be due to the very heterogeneous nature of human breast tumors and to the inability of these molecules to interfere with the IGF-R pathway.

Synthesis of oestrogens within breast tissues makes an important contribution to the high concentrations of oestradiol which are found in breast tumours. The activities of the enzymes involved in oestrogen synthesis, i.e. the aromatase, oestradiol dehydrogenase (E2DH) and oestrone sulphatase (E1-STS), can be stimulated by several growth factors and cytokines. As it is possible that some of these factors may be derived from cells of the immune system (macrophages and lymphocytes), the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), which are produced by these cells, on E2DH activity was examined in MCF-7 cells. Treatment of these cells with bFGF resulted in a dose-dependent increase in E2DH reductive activity whereas IL-2 was inactive at the concentration tested. To obtain further evidence that factors produced by macrophages and lymphocytes can modulate the activities of enzymes involved in oestrogen synthesis, conditioned medium was collected from these cells and found to stimulate both E1-STS and E2DH activities. In addition to understanding the control of oestrogen synthesis in breast tumours an inhibitor to block the synthesis of oestrone via the oestrone sulphatase pathway was developed. Oestrone-3-O-sulphamate (EMATE) is a potent, irreversible, inhibitor of E1-STS. A single dose of EMATE (10 mg/kg) inhibited tissue E1-STS activity in rats by more than 95% for up to 7 days, indicating that this compound may have considerable therapeutic potential for the treatment of breast cancer. Evidence is also reviewed that another steroid sulphatase, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate sulphatase, may have a crucial role in regulating cytokine production and that this may indirectly control tumour oestrogen synthesis.

The effects of the polypeptide Decapeptyl (a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist analogue) and of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), on estrone sulfate-sulfatase activities in the homogenates of various breast cancer cell lines were studied in the presence of heparin. In hormone-dependent MCF-7 breast cancer cells, Decapeptyl can inhibit sulfatase activity, and this effect is significantly augmented in the presence of heparin. In the other hormone-dependent T-47D breast cancer cell line, the decrease of sulfatase activity was only significant when Decapeptyl was associated with heparin. No significant effect on sulfatase activity elicited by heparin, Decapeptyl or a mixture of both was found in the hormone-independent MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. TGF-alpha stimulates sulfatase activity in the MDA-MB-231 cells but has no effect in the MCF-7 cells; in contrast, TGF-alpha combined with heparin provokes a decrease of the sulfatase activity in both cell lines. It is concluded that the sulfatase activity in some types of breast cancer cell can be inhibited by heparin combined with the polypeptides Decapeptyl or TGF-alpha.

Hormonal management of breast cancer is confounded by an almost inevitable progression of cell growth from a steroid-regulated to a steroid-autonomous state. We have experimentally induced this progression in the estrogen growth-responsive MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line by long-term culture in the absence of steroids. After an initial period (10-12 weeks) of slowed growth in response to steroid deprivation, rapid, steroid-independent growth rates were consistently established. In these cells, which contained 3-fold elevated, functional estrogen receptor levels (as determined by induction of PgR and transactivation of a transiently transfected estrogen-responsive gene construct), antiestrogens still effectively suppressed cell proliferation, although estrogens only minimally increased the proliferation rate. Depletion of steroids from the growth media also resulted in a marked (70-80%) transient decrease in transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha mRNA and TGF-alpha protein production at 2 weeks that was followed by a progressive, partial return to the initial parental TGF-alpha mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, the mRNAs for TGF-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3 and bioactive TGF-beta proteins transiently increased (3-10-fold) at 2 to 10 weeks of steroid deprivation and then returned by 24 weeks to the lower levels of the parental MCF-7 cells. These results suggest that the cells acquired steroid-independent means to regulate the production of these peptides. The long-term steroid-deprived sublines showed a loss of regulation of proliferation by TGF-alpha or anti-TGF-alpha antibodies and a 10-fold decrease in sensitivity to the growth-suppressive effects of TGF-beta 1, despite little change in receptor levels for these factors. The diminished contributions of TGF-alpha and TGF-beta s to the regulation of cell proliferation in long-term steroid-deprived MCF-7 breast cancer cells suggest that the TGFs do not act as major growth regulators in these estrogen-autonomous sublines. However, the marked, transient alterations in the levels of these growth factors indicate that they may play a role in the events which accompany the progression from estrogen-responsive to estrogen-autonomous growth. In addition, continued exposure to estrogen may be needed for the long-term maintenance of cell responsiveness to these TGFs.

Growth response of human breast cancer cells to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) was tested both in culture and in vivo in nude mice. Human breast cancer cells were obtained from palpable tumors resulting from xenografted primary breast cancers in nude mice. In collagen gel culture, the breast cancer cells grew autonomously as expanding spherical masses of loosely adherent cells in the basal medium and the supplementation of growth factors had no additional stimulatory effect. To determine whether this in vitro response is reflected in vivo, the collagen gel embedded human breast cancer cells were transplanted into athymic nude mice and the growth response to EGF was studied in vivo. In contrast to the situation in vitro, exogenous EGF was growth promoting in vivo. Our results demonstrate the importance of the combined in vitro-in vivo approach in studying physiologically relevant growth regulation. In addition, the use of collagen gel embedded human breast cancer cells for transplantation studies may more closely model the clinical situation in view of the close histopathological resemblance of the recovered gels to the surgical breast specimens.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors are expressed in high levels by some poor prognosis breast tumors. We have examined the cytotoxic effect of the tumor growth factor alpha (TGF alpha)-delta Cys-Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE40) recombinant fusion protein on normal and tumorigenic human breast epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. The MDA-468, MDA-231, BT-20, and MCF-7ADR estrogen receptor-negative, EGF receptor-rich breast cancer lines were exquisitely sensitive in vitro to TGF alpha-delta Cys-PE40 with a 50% inhibitory concentration of < or = 0.02 nM. The estrogen receptor-positive, low EGF receptor MCF-7, ZR75-1, and T47D cells were less sensitive to the fusion toxin with a 50% inhibitory concentration of > 0.2 nM. The nontumorigenic cell lines 184, 184A1, and 184B5 were relatively resistant to TGF alpha-delta Cys-PE40 despite exhibiting high levels of EGF receptors. Continuous i.p. administration of TGF alpha-delta Cys-PE40 via an osmotic minipump at a dose of 0.4 microgram/g/day over 7 days inhibited MDA-468, MA-231, and BT-20 but not MCF-7 tumor growth in female athymic mice. Host tissue toxicity was not observed with this dose of TGF alpha-delta Cys-PE40. Mixed MDA-468/MCF-7 tumors were established in nude mice after coinoculation of both cell types in estrogen-supplemented animals. EGF receptor immunohistochemistry and immunoblot procedures indicated that TGF alpha-PE40 eliminated the MDA-468 cells while sparing the adjacent MCF-7 cells. By immunoblot, EGF receptors were consistently more abundant in tumor tissue than in adjacent nontumor tissue from the same mastectomy specimen (n = 7). These data support the notion that EGF receptors can be selectively targeted in human breast cancer cells for the delivery of antitumor agents. Further clinical studies with TGF alpha-delta Cys-PE40 and other chimeric toxins using the same cellular target will address this possibility.

Three approaches have been taken to elucidate further the biological importance of intratumoural aromatase activity. (i) MCF7 and T47D hormone-dependent breast cancer cell lines both showed detectable aromatase activity in vitro. The up-regulation of this by TGF alpha indicates the possible existence of an autocrine growth stimulatory loop involving aromatase. (ii) Both tamoxifen and cytotoxic chemotherapy caused the suppression of aromatase activity in breast carcinomas in vivo. Aromatase activity prior to treatment did not predict for clinical response to tamoxifen. (iii) Transfection of aromatase into MCF7 cells led to their growth being stimulated by low doses of androgens and this was inhibited by the aromatase inhibitor CGS 16949A.

Using the breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB 468 as immunogen, we have produced six new rat monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the human EGF receptor (EGFR) and are investigating their use for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer patients whose tumours overexpress these receptors. The mAbs (three IgG2b and one each of IgG2a, IgG1 and IgA) were selected on the basis that they bound to the extracellular domain of the EGFR and blocked growth factor-receptor interaction. Competitive assays showed that, with the exception of antibody ICR65, the mAbs bound to one of two distinct epitopes on the external domain of the EGFR. ICR65, however, cross-reacted with mAbs binding to both epitopes. All of the mAbs immunoprecipitated the 170 kDa glycoprotein from cells expressing the EGFR but not the 185 kDa product of the related c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene. Unlike EGF and TGF alpha none of the mAbs stimulated the growth of quiescent human foreskin fibroblasts but they inhibited the EGF and TGF alpha induced growth stimulation of these cells in vitro. When tested for their effect on tumour cells the mAbs were found to inhibit the growth in vitro of a number of human tumours that overexpressed the EGFR (e.g. HN5, HN6, HN15, A431, MDA-MB 468) but they were without effect on tumour cell lines expressing low or undetectable amounts of the receptor. Our initial results indicate that this new generation of antibodies which bind with high affinity to the EGFR, block growth factor-receptor interaction and inhibit the growth of human squamous carcinoma cell lines overexpressing the receptor have potential for clinical application.

To investigate whether estrogen treatment of hormone-responsive human breast cancer cells was associated with activation of members of the jun family of immediate early response genes, the expression of these oncogenes in human breast cancer cells was examined. 17 beta-Estradiol had little effect on expression of c-jun, jun B, jun D, or c-fos mRNA by MCF-7 cells over 12 h, although it stimulated c-myc expression 4-fold within 30 min. In contrast, several peptide growth factors, including transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), rapidly and transiently induced expression of c-jun, jun B, and c-fos mRNA 4- to 10-fold over control. A similar pattern of expression was seen in two other estrogen-responsive human breast cancer cell lines, ZR-75-1 and T47D. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide did not abrogate induction of c-jun or jun B mRNA by TGF-alpha in MCF-7 cells, suggesting that new protein synthesis was not required. In addition, nuclear runoff transcription analysis demonstrated that increased expression of c-jun and jun B mRNA after TGF-alpha treatment of MCF-7 cells was regulated at least in part at the transcriptional level. Chronic exposure of MCF-7 cells to 17 beta-estradiol for 24-48 h was associated with decreased expression of jun B mRNA only, while similar treatment with TGF-alpha did not change mRNA expression of any jun family member. Thus, expression of jun family members is induced by peptide growth factors like TGF-alpha but not 17 beta-estradiol in human breast cancer cells. These results suggest that these nuclear protooncogenes play different roles in modulating gene expression by MCF-7 cells after exposure to TGF-alpha or 17 beta-estradiol.

Expression of tissue factor (TF), the cellular receptor of clotting factor VII/VIIa, is a feature of certain malignant tumours. The TF gene has been classified as an immediate early gene responsive to serum and cytokines. Thus, the regulation of TF gene expression seems to play a role in cell growth. Recently, we have shown that constitutive TF expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells is modulated by such growth factors as EGF, TGF alpha, and IL-1. The present study deals with the immunocytochemically detectable cellular distribution of TF in human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MaTu stimulated by EGF and TGF alpha. In MCF-7 cells growing logarithmically, stimulation led to a significant increase of TF mRNA after 2 h (in situ hybridization, Northern blot) and to maximum TF expression after 6 h (immunohistochemistry). When decorated by monoclonal antibodies, TF protein showed a pronounced localization at ruffled membrane areas, cell edges, and processes of spreading cells after 6 and 20 h. In more flattened cells TF was concentrated in peripheric lamellae and microspikes communicating with neighbouring cells. After epithelial colony pattern had established, TF was predominantly accumulated at the intercellular boundaries. The vary same distribution patterns as seen in MCF-7 cells were true for the stimulated MaTu cell line.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Growth factors play a major role in the control of human breast cancer cell proliferation but their acute effects on cell cycle progression have not been well studied in these cells. T-47D cells, growth-inhibited by serum deprivation, were induced to re-enter the cell cycle in a concentration- and time-dependent manner by addition of insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). After a lag of approximately 10 h semi-synchronous entry into S phase was observed. The relative potencies of maximal concentrations of growth factors were in the order: insulin approximately IGF-I approximately bFGF > TGF alpha > EGF, identifying bFGF as among the most potent mitogens for these cells. Insulin or IGF-I alone resulted in growth rates comparable with those observed in fetal calf serum. These data demonstrate that single growth factors can induce a significant proportion of T-47D cells to traverse the cell cycle. The kinetics for entry into S phase were similar, indicating that the basis of differential sensitivity to the growth factors tested was the proportion of cells that responded and ultimately entered S phase.

A number of growth factors have been implicated in the control of the proliferation of breast cancer cells and some have been reported to mediate the proliferative effects of oestradiol. MCF-7 cells were treated with growth factors in the presence and absence of oestradiol. Oestradiol increased the response of cells to the proliferative effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and cathepsin D had no effect in the presence or absence of oestradiol while TGF-beta slightly reduced the stimulation by oestradiol. In the absence of oestradiol, there was little effect of combinations of growth factors although the effects of bFGF and IGF-I were additive. In the presence of oestradiol, the effects of bFGF and TGF-alpha were additive whereas bFGF acted as an IGF-I antagonist. Overall, bFGF had the greatest effect on cell proliferation although this was less marked than the previously described effect of the IGFs and insulin. The effects of oestradiol on the sensitivity of cells to the proliferative effects of bFGF did not appear to result from regulation of bFGF receptor expression.

In order to evaluate the potential role of calcium as an intracellular messenger for IGF-I and TGF-alpha action on breast cancer cell proliferation, we determined whether these growth factors induce any change in [Ca2+]i using fura-2 loaded cells. The hormone independent BT-20 and MDA-MB-231 cells were refractory to the mitogenic actions of exogenously added IGF-I and TGF-alpha. TGF-alpha administration, however, stimulated [Ca2+]i transients in the BT-20 cells. IGF-I and TGF-alpha stimulated DNA synthesis in the MCF-7 and T47D cells. These growth factors did not, however, stimulate any changes in [Ca2+]i in these cells. These data support the idea that receptor-mediated phospholipid hydrolysis does not serve a major signalling function for driving human breast cancer cells into DNA synthesis.

We investigated the effects of a benzoate of an estradiol-chlorambucil conjugate (KM2210) and chlorambucil on growth, estrogen receptor, and secretion of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha in the hormone-dependent human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. In the presence of 10(-10)-10(-6) M KM2210, the estrogen-induced growth of MCF-7 was completely inhibited. Inhibited growth of MCF-7 treated with 10(-8) or 10(-6) M KM2210 for 4 days was not rescued by removal of the drug and the addition of estradiol. By treatment of MCF-7 with KM2210 for 4 days, estrogen receptor-binding sites were decreased at 10(-8) M and were not detected at 10(-6) M but were unaltered by 10(-8) M chlorambucil. Moreover, estrogen receptor immunoreactivity and the level of estrogen receptor mRNA were decreased through treatment with 10(-6) M KM2210 for 4 days. These suppressions occurred prior to the onset of inhibitory action on MCF-7 growth. Secretion of TGF-alpha from MCF-7 was decreased by 4 days of treatment with 10(-8) and 10(-6) M KM2210 but not with chlorambucil. The addition of exogenous TGF-alpha generally restored the growth of MCF-7 treated with 10(-8) M KM2210. We concluded that KM2210 has irreversible or at least long-standing inhibitory effect on estrogen-dependent growth of MCF-7. It is conceivable that the decrease of estrogen receptor renders the cell unable to respond to estrogen with increased TGF-alpha secretion and succeeding cell growth.

The mechanism by which transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) stimulates breast cancer cell proliferation is largely unknown. Furthermore, its potential role as an autocrine effector of estradiol-17 beta (E2)-stimulated growth of hormone-dependent mammary tumors remains controversial. Transient changes in phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover have been demonstrated in several tissues in response to growth factors. In these experiments, we tested the effects of TGF-alpha and E2 on PI metabolism in three MCF-7 breast cancer cell sublines (MCF-7B, MCF-7I, and MCF-7J). Although TGF-alpha was mitogenic in MCF-7I and MCF-7J cells, PI hydrolysis was stimulated by the growth factor only in the MCF-7I cells. In addition, the TGF-alpha effect was relatively modest, ranging from 23% to 42%. E2 effects on PI turnover were tested in the MCF-7B cells, which were the most sensitive to the proliferative effect of the hormone. E2 did not stimulate PI hydrolysis, whether or not the cells were labelled in the presence of the hormone. On the other hand, E2 did seem to stimulate de novo synthesis of phosphatidylinositol and induce activation of PI kinases. These results demonstrate that TGF-alpha-stimulated PI hydrolysis is modest and cell type dependent. At least under certain conditions, PI metabolism is not involved in the proliferative effects of TGF-alpha (MCF-7J) or E2 (MCF-7B). The role of increased PI synthesis in E2-stimulated MCF-7 cell growth remains to be established.

Expression of tissue factor, the initiator of the extrinsic coagulation protease cascade, is a feature of certain malignant tumours. To study the modulation of tissue factor expression we incubated the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 with several growth factors. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) rapidly increased tissue factor expression of MCF-7 cells peaking at 6-8 h after starting point of incubation, as determined by clotting test, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. The data presented support the hypothesis that modulation of constitutive tissue factor expression in tumour cells by TGF alpha and IL-1 could also occur in vivo possibly resulting from interactions of stromal and cancer cells. The meaning for tumour biology, however, remains unclear.

The hormone dependency of the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, while extensively tested in liquid culture, has not been previously evaluated under conditions of anchorage-independent growth in serum-free media. Using the soft agar clonogenic assay, we demonstrate that physiologically relevant concentrations of estradiol (E2), progesterone (Pg), and prolactin (PRL) similarly stimulated MCF-7 cell colony formation in the absence of serum. Addition of an anti-insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) antibody inhibited E2- and Pg-stimulated growth, while PRL action was not affected. Similar results were obtained with an anti-IGF-I receptor antibody, except that its inhibitory effect on Pg-induced colony formation was modest and not statistically significant. Administration of either an anti-transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) antibody or an anti-epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor antibody similarly inhibited E2-stimulated MCF-7 cell growth in soft agar, while neither antibody influenced Pg or PRL effects. Addition of TGF-beta 1, -beta 2, -beta 3 similarly suppressed MCF-7 cell colony formation in a dose dependent manner to a degree comparable to that observed with 4-OH-tamoxifen (4-OH-T). Furthermore, the growth inhibitory effect of 4-OH-T was completely reversed by an anti-TGF-beta antibody. We conclude that IGFs and TGF-alpha are important mediators of E2-stimulated MCF-7 cell growth in soft agar. IGFs may also be playing a role in Pg action, while neither growth factor is involved in PRL-stimulated colony formation. Finally, TGF-beta appears to be an important mediator of antiestrogen-induced inhibition of tumor growth.

To elucidate the relationship between epidermal growth factor (EGF)/transforming growth factor (TGF-alpha) and estradiol-17 beta (E) in cell proliferation, we examined their effects on the breast cancer cell line, CAMA-1. While E was able to consistently induce cell proliferation under a variety of experimental conditions, EGF/TGF-alpha was without effect. Despite the presence of the receptor (EGFR) gene, mature EGFR protein and mRNA were not detected by radioreceptor assay, 35S Met-labelling, and the Intron Differential RNA/PCR method under conditions in which cells remain responsive to E. Furthermore, TGF-alpha is not an autocrine factor in CAMA-1 cells. We demonstrated unequivocally that EGF/TGF-alpha interaction with EGFR is not an obligatory event in mediating estrogen-stimulated cell proliferation.

In this review I summarize the experimental data in favor of the notion that control of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (R) and/or c-erbB-2 protooncogene expression by specific autocrine growth factors and certain classical endocrine hormones serves as a transducer of extracellular signals that ultimately lead to growth responses in breast carcinoma cells. I summarize some new results on the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha, and TGF beta in the control of EGF-R protooncogene expression in human breast carcinoma cells. Furthermore, the data embracing the hypothesis that the growth actions of hormone receptors that are homologous to the v-erbA oncogene (estrogens, progesterone, thyroid hormones, retinoic acid, and vitamin D) are mediated, in part, by modulating EGF-R and/or c-erbB-2 protooncogene transcription are reviewed. Finally, I develop the theme that cooperation of certain c-erb-A-related, c-erbB-2 and/or EGF-R gene products contribute to the uncontrolled growth of human mammary carcinoma cells. From the evidence reviewed, one can infer that elucidation of the molecular control of EGF-R/c-erbB-2 gene expression by c-erbA-related gene products may lead to both a better understanding of breast carcinogenesis and a new therapeutic approach directed at controlling the transcriptional responses of EGF-R/c-erbB-2 genes.

While steroid hormones act as endocrine effectors of growth and development of normal breast and of carcinogenesis and progression of malignant breast, recent evidence suggests that local hormonal effectors also exist. These are the growth regulatory growth factors. This article summarizes current status of our understanding of structure and function of growth factors secreted by the normal and malignant mammary epithelium. While growth inhibitory factors and their receptors generally suppress development of the transformed phenotype and promote differentiation, growth stimulatory factors and their receptors may be necessary for both normal proliferation and early stages of malignant progression of breast cancer. Overexpression of two receptors, c-erbB-2 and EGF receptor, have also been associated with poor prognosis in the clinical disease.