[Progesterone promotes the proliferation and migration of cultured breast cancer cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of progesterone on the growth and migration of breast cancer cells.

Methods: MCF-7 and T-47D cells were cultured in DMEM and stimulated with 100 nmol/L progesterone for 48 h, and the cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, cell migration by wound-healing assay and E-catherin expression by Western blotting.

Results: Progesterone stimulated the cell proliferation and migration and down-regulated the expression of E-catherin in both MCF-7 and T-47D cells.

Conclusions: Progesterone stimulates the cell proliferation and migration of cultured breast cancer cells, suggesting the clinical significance of anti-progesterone therapy in breast cancer.