Application of the MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells in Endocrine-Disrupting Area

MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was first developed by Dr. Herbert Soule from a pleural effusion taken from a patient with metastatic breast cancer. This estrogen-responsive and estrogen receptor containing cell line can also express androgen, progesterone, glucocorticoid and retinoid receptors. It has been extensively used in identifying environmental estrogens and exploring the toxicity mechanisms, as well as the pathologic study and the disease treatment. This mini review article will focus on the development and application of MCF-7 cells in endocrine-disrupting area, especially in study of environmental estrogens.