Apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells induced by eicosapentaenoic acid.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Clinical studies have shown that administration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to patients who have unresectable pancreatic cancer induces marked attenuation of cachexia. However, the exact mechanisms of the beneficial effect of EPA on pancreatic cancer are unknown. This examined the effect of EPA on proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cell lines and sought to clarify its mechanisms.

METHODS:

The effects of EPA on proliferation of three human pancreatic cancer cell lines (SW1990, AsPC-1, and PANC-1) were assessed. Induction of apoptosis and expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were measured. The effect of EPA on cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression in these cell lines was determined.

RESULTS:

EPA inhibited proliferation of all three human pancreatic cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion. Simultaneously, EPA treatment induced apoptosis and this was associated with caspase-3 activation. EPA treatment was also associated with a decrease in intracellular levels of cyclo-oxygenase-2 protein.

CONCLUSION:

We have demonstrated that EPA inhibits human pancreatic cancer cell growth due at least in part to the induction of apoptotic cell death. Such apoptosis is associated with activation of caspase-3 and suppression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression. Greater understanding of the molecular events associated with the biological activity of EPA should enhance the therapeutic potential of administration of EPA to patients who have pancreatic cancer.

• Authors: Tetsuya Shirota, Seiji Haji, Mitsuo Yamasaki, Takuya Iwasaki, Toshiharu Hidaka, Yoshifumi Takeyama, Hitoshi Shiozaki, Harumasa Ohyanagi
• Journal: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) (Nutrition) Vol. 21 Issue 10 Pg. 1010-7 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 0899-9007 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16157238 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• CASP3 protein, human
• Caspase 3
• Caspases

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Caspase 3
• Caspases (metabolism)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (drug effects, metabolism)
• Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology, ultrastructure)