Korean J Hepatol > Volume 9(1); 2003 > Article
The Korean Journal of Hepatology 2003;9(1): 10-16.
The Effects of Tamoxifen on Human Hepatocelluar Carcinoma Cell Proliferation and Transforming Growth Factor-β 1 Expression
Jung Woo Shin, M.D., Young-Hwa Chung, M.D., Moo In Park, M.D.2, Jeong A Kim, Min Hee Choi, Yoon Jung Lee, Soo Hyung Ryu, M.D., Neung Hwa Park, M.D., Han Chu Lee, M.D., Yung Sang Lee, M.D., Dong Jin Suh, M.D. and Eunsil Yu, M.D.1
Department of Internal Medicine and Pathology1, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul; Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University College of Medicine, Pusan2, Korea
ABSTRACT
Background/Aims
Tamoxifen has been tried in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, its inhibitory mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effects of tamoxifen on HCC cell growth and the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) which had been known as an important cytokine in growth of HCC. Methods: Hep 3B cells were cultivated in estrogen free media with 0.1μM, 0.5μM, 1μM, 5μM, and 10μM of tamoxifen for 6 days. Viable cells were counted daily and the TGF-β1 concentrations in supernatant were measured by ELISA method. Results: The number of viable HCC cells increased rather significantly after the treatment of tamoxifen of lower concentration (0.1μM) compared with that of the control (2.59×107 vs. 1.97×107; p<0.05). As the concentration of treated tamoxifen was higher, the number of viable HCC cells became gradually less, resulting in the significant decrease of it at the highest concentration (10μM) compared with that of the control (1.40×107 vs. 1.97×107; p<0.05). TGF-β1 concentration in supernatant of tamoxifen-treated samples was significantly decreased compared with those of controls, regardless of the amount of treated tamoxifen. Conclusions: These results suggest that tamoxifen may suppress TGF-β1 expression to an extent, although it has different effects on the proliferation of HCC cells, at the various concentrations of this agent in vitro. Such effects of tamoxifen on TGF-β1 expression may inhibit the growth and progression of HCCs over-expressing TGF-β1 in vivo.(Korean J Hepatol 2002; 9:10-16)
KeyWords: Neoplasm/Liver/Hepatocellular carcinoma, Tamoxifen, Transforming Growth Factor-β1

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