Cytotoxic Activity of Whey Protein on Breast Cancer Cell in Vitro

Objectives: Natural products, which do not have any toxic effects in terms of human health, have an important place in cancer research today. In this study, we aimed to determine the anticancer effect of whey protein, which has no side effects, on breast cancer cell line in vitro. Method: Whey protein (whey) from cow's milk was obtained using the isoelectric point. The whey protein was sterilized by a membrane filter. Cell viability and IC50 values were determined by measuring the antitumor activity levels of different concentrations of lyophilized whey protein with the breast cancer cell line (Mcf-7) MTT viability test. In addition, cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α) of whey protein were measured. Results: Serial dilutions of whey protein starting from 6400 µg/ml and continuing with decreasing concentrations were incubated with Mcf-7 cells for 24, 48 and 72 hours. When incubated with cow whey Mcf-7 cells, cell viability at 24 hours was 45.57%; IC50 value 5.605 µg/ml, R2 = 0.968; Cell viability at 48 hours was 43.52%; IC50 value 5.257 µg/ml, R2 = 0.976; cell viability found in cow whey at 72 hours was 37.06%; IC50 value was determined as 3.144 µg/ml and R2= 0.373. Conclusion: It was concluded that whey protein has antiproliferative and anticarcinogenic effects in MCF-7 cancer cell lines. This suggests that whey proteins have the capacity to stimulate the production of cytokines and may support cytokine potentiation.