BT474 cells are a cell line used in scientific research, particularly within the field of oncology. These cells serve as a model system for understanding biological processes. Their unique characteristics make them a valuable tool for investigations into cellular behavior and responses, especially in the context of disease. Researchers cultivate these cells in laboratories to study biological mechanisms in a controlled environment.
What Are BT474 Cells?
BT474 cells are a human breast cancer cell line isolated in 1978 from an invasive ductal carcinoma. These cells exhibit an epithelial-like morphology and tend to grow in compact, slowly expanding multi-layered colonies rather than forming a confluent layer in culture. They are aneuploid, meaning they have an abnormal number of chromosomes, often around 55.
A defining feature of BT474 cells is their overexpression of the HER2/neu (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) gene. HER2 is a protein that, when amplified, plays a role in the development and progression of certain aggressive types of breast cancer. These cells are also estrogen receptor (ER) positive and progesterone receptor (PR) positive, making them responsive to hormones. Their growth can be influenced by estrogen and progesterone, which is characteristic of hormone-responsive breast cancers.
Why BT474 Cells Are Important for Research
BT474 cells’ biological characteristics make them a relevant model for studying breast cancer subtypes. Their overexpression of HER2, combined with estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity, mirrors the molecular profile of many human breast cancers. Approximately 20% of all breast cancers show increased HER2 expression, which is linked to more aggressive and fast-growing tumors. About 80% of breast cancer patients are ER positive, and roughly 65% are PR positive.
These cells provide a system to investigate the biology of HER2-positive and hormone-responsive breast cancers. Studying BT474 cells provides insights into how these cancer cells grow, proliferate, and spread. The model allows exploration of molecular mechanisms driving disease progression in these breast cancer subtypes, linking preclinical research and patient profiles. Understanding these mechanisms can help in developing strategies to combat these forms of cancer.
Applications in Drug Development
BT474 cells are used in drug development for breast cancer therapies. They serve as a platform for screening new treatments, evaluating the effectiveness of compounds. This includes assessing chemotherapy agents and targeted drugs, especially HER2 inhibitors. Studies have shown BT474 cells’ sensitivity to HER2 inhibitors like neratinib, afatinib, mubritinib, poziotinib, dacomitinib, and lapatinib.
The cells also investigate drug resistance mechanisms, a common challenge in cancer treatment. BT474 cells have explored why some HER2-positive breast cancers develop resistance to therapies like trastuzumab (Herceptin). Researchers can induce resistance in these cells and study molecular changes, such as mutations in pathways like PI3K/AKT/mTOR, that lead to resistance. Findings from studies using BT474 cells can inform the design of clinical trials and contribute to the development of new treatment strategies, including combination therapies to overcome resistance.