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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

An Ex vivo Model to Study Hormone Action in the Human Breast
Published on: January 8, 2015
Human breast cancer: androgen action mediated by estrogen receptor
Abstract:
Growth of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 is enhanced by androgens, but only at pharmacological concentrations. Although physiological concentrations of androgens translocate the androgen receptor into the nucleus, no mitogenic effects are observed. By contrast, pharmacological androgens translocate not only the androgen receptor but also the estrogen receptor, and at these high doses significantly increase both DNA and estrogen-dependent protein synthesis. We therefore propose that androgens stimulate MCF-7 cell growth not through the androgen receptor but rather through the estrogen receptor.
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