Inhibitory effect of genistein on HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer xenograft tumors and its relationship with uPA expression / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of genistein on oncogene HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer xenograft tumors and its relationship with urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression. Methods HER-2/neu-overexpressing MCF-7 human breast cancer cells (MCF-7/HER-2) were generated by transfecting the HER-2/neu negative MCF-7 cells with HER-2/neu cDNA. MCF-7/HER-2 and MCF-7 xenograft models were established in BALB/c nude mice, and the nude mice with MCF-7/HER-2 xenograft were randomly divided into three groups control group, genistein-treated group, and HER-2/neu antibody-treated group. The growth ability of xenograft tumors was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining with Ki-67 antibody, and uPA expression of xenograft tumors was analyzed by Western blotting. Results The growth ability and uPA expression were significantly higher in MCF-7/HER-2 xenograft tumors than those in MCF-7 xenograft tumors. MCF-7/HER-2 xenograft tumors treated by genistein or HER-2/neu antibody showed lower growth ability and uPA expression as compared with MCF-7/HER-2 xenograft tumors. Conclusion Genistein can inhibit the growth ability of HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer xenograft tumors, which is associated with the uPA expression.