Open AccessCell death induced by tamoxifen in human blood lymphocytes cultivated in vitro
Author(s) -
Naila Francis Paulo de Oliveira,
Selma Candelária Genari,
Heidi Dolder
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta scientiarum. biological sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.16
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1807-863X
pISSN - 1679-9283
DOI - 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v32i4.7015
Subject(s) - programmed cell death , apoptosis , autophagy , tamoxifen , in vitro , biology , vacuole , cancer research , viability assay , cell , immunology , pharmacology , cancer , medicine , breast cancer , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , cytoplasm
Many chemotherapeutic agents with a potential against solid tumors or leukemia can cause lymphopenia. Tamoxifen (TAM) is a synthetic non-steroidal anti-estrogen drug employed in female breast cancer treatment. The present study investigated the capacity of TAM to induce cell death in human lymphocytes cultivated in vitro. Lymphocytes were obtained from young (25-30 years; n = 3) and elderly women (58-77 years; n = 3) and cultivated for 24 or 48h, with or without TAM (20 µM). After the culture, cell viability, immunocytochemical response and ultrastructure were evaluated. TAM affected lymphocytes in a time- dependent manner, and cells obtained from elderly women were the most sensitive to TAM. Immunocytochemical analysis evidenced higher frequency of apoptosis in treated cells, and the ultrastructural study revealed autophagic vacuoles, differing from the controls. In summary, the treated lymphocytes were affected by TAM, leading to cell death by apoptosis and autophagy