Influence of antiestrogens on the migration of breast cancer cells using an in vitro wound model.

The metastasis of malignant tumor cells to other organs in the body is the major cause of cancer-related patient mortality. Therefore, the inhibition of tumor cell motility is critical in the prevention or control of tumor malignancy. In the present study, the antimetastatic potential of antiestrogens [tamoxifen (TAM); ICI-182,780 (ICI); and Analog II (AII)] on highly invasive, estrogen receptor (ER)-negative MDA-MB-231 (MDA) and non-invasive, ER-positive MCF-7 (MCF) human breast cancer cell lines was investigated using an in vitro wound model. Wounds were created in confluent cell cultures and repopulation of the wound space was evaluated by counting the number of cells that migrated into the wound area and by measuring the maximum distance traveled. In addition, the number of cells that were passively seeded into the wounded area was determined. ICI and AII reduced the number of MCF cells that migrated into the wounded area and reduced the number of viable passively seeded MDA cells. Unlike ICI and AII, TAM appeared to enhance MCF and MDA cell movement. This study indicates that the in vitro wound technique is applicable to the study of breast cancer cell movement in response to antiestrogens and other antimetastatic agents. It also demonstrates that antiestrogens differ in their influence on breast cancer cell migration.