Human breast carcinoma culture: The effects of hormones

Abstract

Abstract Tumours from 14 patients with early carcinoma of the breast were cultured in vitro; successful growth of cells was obtained in 90 per cent of the 84 cultures. The rate of growth of the cells was assessed by glucose utilization and lactic acid production. Eight tumours were treated in vitro with prolactin and hydrocortisone; both hormones produced a decrease in the rate of growth of 1 tumour, hydrocortisone increased the growth rate in another, and in 6 the growth rate was unchanged. Six tumours were treated with stilboestrol, which produced a decrease in the rate of growth of 2 tumours, an increase in 1, and 3 were unchanged.