Growth-inhibitory effects of the natural phyto-oestrogen genistein in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Genistein, a natural isoflavonoid phyto-oestrogen, inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity of growth factor receptors and oncogene products, as well as the in vitro growth of some tumour cell lines. The low incidence of breast cancer in countries with a flavonoid-rich soy-based diet and the protection afforded by soy-derived products against experimental mammary tumours in rats suggest that genistein and other isoflavonoid compounds may exert an anti-tumour activity. We analysed the effects of genistein on cell number and cell cycle progression (flow cytometric analysis of propidium iodide-stained nuclei) of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in vitro. Genistein produced a significant, dose-dependent inhibition of MCF-7 cell growth with an ID50 of approximately 40 microM after 72 h of incubation. Cell cycle analysis showed a reversible G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression at 10 microM genistein concentrations, whilst a marked fall in S-phase cell percentage associated with a persistent arrest in G2/M phase was observed in cultures treated with genistein doses equal to or greater than 50 microM. These effects were significant at 24 h of incubation; flow cytometric analysis at later times (48 and 72 h) revealed a population of cells with decreased DNA content and nuclear fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis. Thus, the growth inhibitory activity of genistein in MCF-7 cells results from the sum of cytostatic and apoptotic effects. Since the mitogenic action of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in MCF-7 cells is a tyrosine kinase-dependent phenomenon, we analysed the genistein impact on S-phase entry produced by insulin in cultures partially synchronised in G0/G1 phase by serum deprivation. Insulin addition after a 36-h culture period in serum-free medium produced a strong increase in the percentage of S-phase cells (from 18.4 +/- 2.3 to 46.2 +/- 4.1 after 24 h) which was almost completely blocked by 100 microM genistein (20.1 +/- 3.1). Immunofluorescence analysis with a fluoresceine isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated anti-phosphotyrosine antibody revealed a strong increase in MCF-7 cell staining after insulin stimulation, but not when genistein was added with insulin. In conclusion, the dietary phyto-oestrogen genistein inhibits in vitro growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells through blocks in the "critical checkpoints" of cell cycle control and induction of apoptosis. These effects are likely to depend on impairment in the signal transduction pathway from tyrosine kinase receptor(s).