MCF-7 is a
breast cancer cell line isolated in 1970 from a 69-year-old
White woman.[1] MCF-7 is the acronym of Michigan Cancer Foundation-7, referring to the institute in Detroit where the cell line was established in 1973 by Herbert Soule and co-workers.[2] The Michigan Cancer Foundation is now known as the
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.[3]
Prior to MCF-7, it was not possible for cancer researchers to obtain a mammary cell line that was capable of living longer than a few months.[4]
The patient, Frances Mallon died in 1970. Her cells were the source of much of current knowledge about breast cancer.[2][5] At the time of sampling, she was a nun in the convent of
Immaculate Heart of Mary in
Monroe, Michigan under the name of Sister Catherine Frances.
MCF-7 and two other breast cancer cell lines, named
T-47D and
MDA-MB-231, account for more than two-thirds of all abstracts reporting studies on mentioned breast cancer cell lines, as concluded from a
Medline-based survey.[6]
Cannot have ERBB2 gene amplification (with
Her2/neu protein overexpression)
Tumorigenic in mice but only with
estrogen supplementation if engrafted into the subcutaneous fat or mammary fat pad
Tumorigenic in mice without estrogen supplementation if engrafted intraductally[11]
Luminal epithelial phenotype
This cell line retained several characteristics of differentiated mammary epithelium, including the ability to process
estradiol via cytoplasmic estrogen receptors and the capability of forming domes.[citation needed]
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (
TNF alpha) inhibits the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Treatment with anti-estrogens can modulate the secretion of
insulin-like growth factor binding proteins. Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids such as EPA, DHA and AA has been reported to inhibit MCF-7 cell line growth and proliferation.[12]
PIK3CA helical mutations were identified in MCF-7,[13] but with low AKT activation.[14]
^Glodek, Cass, Ph.D., "A History of the Michigan Cancer Foundation, the Beginnings & Growth of Detroit's Anticancer Movement," 1990, page 68, Michigan Cancer Foundation, Detroit.
^
abLevenson, AS; Jordan VC. (1997). "MCF-7: the first hormone-responsive breast cancer cell line". Cancer Research. 57 (15): 3071–3078.
PMID9242427.