The objective of this proposal is to determine the mechanism of regulation by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) of estrogen dependent human breast cancer tumor growth in mice. Ultimately, knowledge of this mechanism will provide: 1) the basis of the observed drug resistance to antiestrogen therapy for estrogen dependent breast cancer, 2) and approach for mechanism-based endocrine related risk assessment associated with chronic low level exposures to dioxin-like xenobiotics, and 3) novel Ah locus-mediated chemotherapeutic strategy for steroid hormone-dependent cancer and understanding of the role of estrogen and estrogen receptors in breast cancer etiology. TCDD inhibits the 17beta-estradiol (E2)-dependent postconfluent proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in vitro. This effect is elicited though an Ah locus-mediated process which is coincident with depletion of E2 by increased metabolism. In vivo studies demonstrated a similar, but transient suppression of E2-dependent human breast cancer MCF-7 tumor growth in immunosuppressed male BDF1 mice. There was a two-week period of TCDD sensitivity, in which TCDD suppresses E2 stimulation of MCF-7 tumor growth, followed by a TCDD-resistant phase, during which the tumor growth rate is similar to that in non TCDD-treated controls. The conversion of this estrogenic effect from TCDD sensitive to TCDD resistant offers a unique opportunity to examine changes in a human estrogen-regulated tissue in vivo, for further elucidation of the mechanism of TCDD mediated antiestrogenicity. It was also determined that E2 depletion results in increased levels of MCF-7 estrogen receptor. This suggests the hypothesis that the sensitivity and subsequent resistance to TCDD suppression of E2-dependent MCF-7 human breast tumor growth in vivo is initially due to TCDD-dependent, Ah locus mediated estrogen depletion in the tumor with subsequent enhancement of tumor sensitivity to E2 resulting from a compensatory increase in estrogen receptor levels. The following specific aims are proposed to test this hypothesis: 1) Determine if there is a requirement for Ah locus function in the host or tumor for sensitivity and resistance to TCDD suppression of E2-dependent MCF-7 tumor growth by use of mice and MCF-7 cells of various Ah locus competency. 2) Determine if the TCDD suppression of E2-dependent MCF-7 tumor growth is associated with E2 depletion by induced metabolism by measurement of E2 and E2 metabolism. 3) Determine if the estrogen receptor status of the TCDD resistant tumor is altered compared to non TCDD-treated tumors by measurement of estrogen receptor function, abundance, and synthesis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01ES003561-09A3
Application #
2153345
Study Section
Toxicology Subcommittee 2 (TOX)
Project Start
1985-01-01
Project End
1998-08-30
Budget Start
1995-09-30
Budget End
1996-08-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Wadsworth Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
110521739
City
Menands
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
12204
Spink, B C; Katz, B H; Hussain, M M et al. (2000) SULT1A1 catalyzes 2-methoxyestradiol sulfonation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Carcinogenesis 21:1947-57
Spink, D C; Spink, B C; Zhuo, X et al. (2000) NADPH- and hydroperoxide-supported 17beta-estradiol hydroxylation catalyzed by a variant form (432L, 453S) of human cytochrome P450 1B1. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 74:8-Nov
Vakharia, D D; Gierthy, J F (2000) Use of a combined human liver microsome-estrogen receptor binding assay to assess potential estrogen modulating activity of PCB metabolites. Toxicol Lett 114:55-65
Spink, B C; Fasco, M J; Gierthy, J F et al. (1998) 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate upregulates the Ah receptor and differentially alters CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. J Cell Biochem 70:289-96
Spink, D C; Spink, B C; Cao, J Q et al. (1997) Induction of cytochrome P450 1B1 and catechol estrogen metabolism in ACHN human renal adenocarcinoma cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 62:223-32
Gierthy, J F; Spink, B C; Figge, H L et al. (1996) Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and 17 beta-estradiol on estrogen receptor regulation in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. J Cell Biochem 60:173-84
DePasquale, J A; Samsonoff, W A; Gierthy, J F (1994) 17-beta-Estradiol induced alterations of cell-matrix and intercellular adhesions in a human mammary carcinoma cell line. J Cell Sci 107 ( Pt 5):1241-54
Spink, D C; Hayes, C L; Young, N R et al. (1994) The effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on estrogen metabolism in MCF-7 breast cancer cells: evidence for induction of a novel 17 beta-estradiol 4-hydroxylase. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 51:251-8
Spink, D C; Johnson, J A; Connor, S P et al. (1994) Stimulation of 17 beta-estradiol metabolism in MCF-7 cells by bromochloro- and chloromethyl-substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans: correlations with antiestrogenic activity. J Toxicol Environ Health 41:451-66
Gierthy, J F; Bennett, J A; Bradley, L M et al. (1993) Correlation of in vitro and in vivo growth suppression of MCF-7 human breast cancer by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Cancer Res 53:3149-53

Showing the most recent 10 out of 21 publications