Cell death induced by tamoxifen in human blood lymphocytescultivated in vitro / Morte celular induzida pelo tamoxifeno em linfócitos humanos cultivados in vitro
Many chemotherapeutic agents with a potential against solid tumors or leukemiacan cause lymphopenia. Tamoxifen (TAM) is a synthetic non-steroidal anti-estrogen drugemployed in femalebreast cancertreatment. The present study investigated the capacity of TAMto induce cell death in humanlymphocytes cultivated in vitro. Lymphocytes were obtained fromyoung (25-30 years; n = 3) and elderlywomen (58-77 years; n = 3) and cultivated for 24 or 48h,with or without TAM (20 μM). After the culture, cell viability, immunocytochemical responseand ultrastructure were evaluated. TAM affected lymphocytes in a time- dependent manner, andcells obtained from elderlywomen were the most sensitive to TAM. Immunocytochemicalanalysis evidenced higher frequency of apoptosis in treated cells, and the ultrastructural studyrevealed autophagic vacuoles, differing from the controls. In summary, the treated lymphocyteswere affected by TAM, leading to cell death by apoptosis and autophagy.(AU)