Fibroblasts impact on gaining cancer stem cell surface markers on breast cancer in doxorubicin chemotherapy

Abstract

Breast cancer, as the most common cancer in the world and the first cause of death in women due to cancer, requires special attention regarding the mechanism of action and treatment. In recent decades, the role of tumor microenvironment in tumor progression and its role in the effect of cancer treatment have been considered. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have emerged as a key player among stromal cells as part of this microenvironment. Materials and Methods: This study was started in 2018 at the Immunology Research Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and the research is of fundamental and basic type. All investigations were done in vitro and on MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 cell lines as luminal and basal subgroups, respectively. Findings: Co-culture of MCF-7 (luminal subtype) and MDA-MB231 (basal subtype) cells with fibroblasts treated with doxorubicin increased the population of CD44+/CD24- cells. The number and size of mammospheres formed in MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells cultured with fibroblast medium conditioned with doxorubicin did not show a significant increase compared to the control group. Co-culture of MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells with conditioned fibroblast medium treated with doxorubicin increased the percentage of wound closure.