IL-1 does not reverse the anti-proliferative effect of aspirin in breast cancer cells

Abstract

Objectives: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine. There have been studies suggesting a role in affecting growth and invasiveness of malignant breast cells by either blocking or stimulating growth of cultured MCF-7 breast cancer cells. This effect may be mediated by induction of COX-2. Aspirin is an inhibitor of COX-2 and has been implicated, with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) in prevention and treatment of breast cancer. In this study the in vitro effects of IL-1 and aspirin on growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was examined. Methods: MCF-7 cells were treated with various concentrations of IL-1 and aspirin alone and in combination. Cell growth was assessed by cell number measurement. Results: Aspirin significantly decreased growth rate in a dose-dependant manner, alone and as a combined treatment with IL-1 with a maximum reduction in growth rate at 300 mg/ml (P <0.05). Treatment with IL-1 alone showed no significant effect on growth rate of MCF-7 cells (P >0.05). Conclusion: This study confirms that aspirin suppresses the proliferation rate of MCF-7 cells both as a single agent and in combination with IL-1. It also suggests that IL-1 alone does not stimulate or inhibit growth of MCF-7 cells. © 2006 Sali and Jewell; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.