We reported recently that
roscovitine (ROSC), a selective
cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, can arrest human ER-positive MCF-7
breast cancer cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle and concomitantly induce apoptosis. The observed effects of ROSC were diminished in MCF-7 cells maintained in the presence of
estrogen-mimicking compounds. Therefore, we decided to test whether combining ROSC with anti-
estrogen therapy would modulate the efficacy of ROSC action. Exposure of MCF-7 cells to
tamoxifen (TAM) for 24 h decreased the number of living cells by approximately 10%. This was associated with a ca. 25% increase in the G1 cell population and reduction in the proportion of S-phase cells. Unlike TAM,
estrogen had very weak effects on the cell cycle progression of MCF-7 cells within 24 h. The proliferation-promoting effect of
estrogen did not become evident until cultivation of cells for 48 h. Addition of
estrogen to MCF-7 cells 1 h prior to TAM administration abolished the anti-
estrogen-induced G1 arrest. Simultaneous treatment of MCF-7 cells with ROSC and TAM strongly enhanced the anti-proliferative effect of ROSC. This was potentiated after co-treatment with
estrogen. These results clearly indicate that the efficacy of treating ER-positive breast
cancers by ROSC can be enhanced by combined application of
antiestrogens.