BCL-2 SLOWS IN-VITRO BREAST-CANCER GROWTH DESPITE ITS ANTIAPOPTOTIC EFFECT

Background. Although the Bcl-2 protein promotes tumor cell survival by blocking programmed cell death (apoptosis), Bcl-2 expression has been associated with favorable prognostic indicators in breast cancer. We hypothesize that despite its antiapoptotic effects, Bcl-2 slows tumor cell proliferation. Materials and methods. Eel-a-negative breast cance r cells (SKBr3) were transfected with the bcl-2 gene (Bcl2-1 clone, lo w expression; Bcl2-2 clone, high expression) or plasmid control (Neo). Cell cycle distribution and kinetics were analyzed using bivariate ho w cytometry (PI staining and pulse BrdU uptake). Cells were treated fo r 72 h with doxorubicin (100 ng/ml) or vehicle (0.01% DMSO) and assaye d for cytosolic DNA with diphenylamine to measure apoptosis. Results. Cell counting showed increased doubling time in the Eel-a-expressing c lones Bcl2-1 and Bcl2-2 (Bcl-2(+)) relative to the Ecl-a-nonexpressing lines SKBr3 and Neo (Bcl-2(-)). Cell cycle analysis showed a decrease d S phase fraction in Bcl-2(+) cells. Pulse BrdU uptake showed an incr eased G(1)/G(0) fraction in Bcl-2(+) cells. Doxorubicin-induced apopto sis occurred in Bcl-2(-) but not in Bcl-2(+) cell lines. Conclusions. Despite antiapoptotic effects favoring tumor survival, Bcl-2 prolongs cell cycle. Decreased tumor proliferation may account for the associat ion of Bcl-2 expression with a favorable outcome in breast cancer, eve n though Bcl-2 may mediate chemoresistance in some patients. (C) 1998 Academic Press.