Over the counter phytoestrogen supplements are used to treat menopausal symptoms purportedly, without the increased risk of breast cancer associated with estrogen replacement therapy. Extracts of one such supplement, Promensil, have been shown to reduce proliferation of the breast cancer cells T47D, but not to act through the estrogen receptor beta (ER-beta). Our hypothesis is that Promensil acts through estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha), which normally signals breast cancer cells to proliferate in response to estrogen. To test this, T47D cells were treated with Promensil alone, or Promensil with an ER-alpha antagonist. The data to date rejects our hypothesis that Promensil acts through ER-alpha.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Aquino, Michael James
• Ellis, Andrew Seward
• Giansiracusa, Sofia

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042319-160107

Advisor

• Buckholt, Michael Allan
• Rulfs, Jill

Year

• 2019

Date created

• 2019-04-23

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright