Promensil is an over the counter (OTC) menopause drug that contains plant phytoestrogens that mimic the effects of human steroids, specifically estradiol. Prior studies have found a link between Promensil and its estrogenic effects in cell proliferation in breast cancer cells, specifically T47D ER positive cells. Similar effects have been studied in MDA-MB-231 cells, but not to the same extent. The goal of this study was to investigate Promensil’s role in cell proliferation in T47D and MDA-MB-231 cells, specifically regarding the mechanism of action related to ER-α and ER-β receptors. It was found through numerous treatments and supplemental experiments that the Promensil had no significant effect on either the T47D or MDA-MB-231 cell lines. It was concluded that the cells being used may have become estrogen unresponsive at this time. Future studies should work to reestablish a model system where over the counter Promensil has an estrogenic effect on breast cancer cells.  

• 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

• Paquette, Gabrielle
• Smith, Hannah

Subject

• Health
• Project-Based Learning
• Innovation
• Well-Being
• Industry

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-032023-170753
• 93781

Keyword

• Comparative Medicine
• Alpha and Beta Receptors
• Phytoestrogens
• Alternative Medicine
• Estrogen
• Breast Cancer

Advisor

• Buckholt, Michael Allan
• Rulfs, Jill

Year

• 2023

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Date created

• 2023-03-20

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biotechnology

Source

• E-project-032023-170753

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-04-19