Inhibitory effect of substituted dextrans on MCF7 human breast cancer cell growth in vitro.

Substituted dextrans can reproduce some of the properties of heparin and can thus be used to alter cellular growth. We studied the effect of heparin (H108), dextran (D), carboxymethylbenzylamide dextran (CMDB) and carboxymethylbenzylamide sulfonate dextran (CMDBS) on the growth of human mammary cells of the MCF7 tumor line. The cells were cultured in minimum Eagle's medium containing 2% fetal calf serum without biopolymer, or with increasing concentrations of H108, D, CMDB or CMDBS. Growth curves were accurately based on cell counting using a Coulter counter. Cell distribution in the various phases of the cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Dose-dependent growth inhibitory effects (400-4000 micrograms/ml) were observed. The effect on MCF7 tumor cells was most apparent with CMDBS. The percentage of cells in the S phase decreased with preferential blocking in the G0/G1 phase. Pre-clinical studies can be anticipated as there is an absence of in vivo toxicity.