Proliferative behaviour of an oestrogen sensitive rat mammary tumour: evidence for a paracrine interaction between tumour and stroma
1993

Study of Oestrogen-Sensitive Rat Mammary Tumour Growth

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): M.G. Ormerod, J.C. Titley, T.A.D. Smith, A.L. Tombs, S. Eccles

Primary Institution: Institute of Cancer Research

Hypothesis

The growth of oestrogen-sensitive rat mammary tumours is influenced by paracrine interactions between the tumour and surrounding stroma.

Conclusion

The study found a correlation between the number of host cells and the percentage of tumour cells in S-phase, suggesting that stromal interactions affect tumour growth.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study observed that oestrogen ablation significantly reduced the labelling index of the tumour.
  • There was a correlation between the number of host cells and the percentage of tumour cells in S-phase.
  • Previous studies suggest that stromal fibroblasts play a key role in breast tumour growth.

Takeaway

This study shows that the way a rat breast tumour grows is affected by the cells around it, and when the hormones are removed, the tumour stops growing.

Methodology

The study involved implanting oestrogen-sensitive mammary tumour pieces in rats and measuring tumour proliferation using BrdU labelling and flow cytometry.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in the interpretation of flow cytometry results due to overlapping DNA histograms of normal and tumour cells.

Limitations

The study's findings may not directly translate to human breast cancer due to differences in tumour biology.

Participant Demographics

The study used normal female and male rats, supplemented with oestrone.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication