Fatty acids and breast cancer: the role of stem cells.

Abstract

Studies with animal models in vivo as well as with animal and human tumor cells in vitro suggest that specific fatty acids could reduce breast tumorigenesis. The most striking dietary fatty acid studies in animal models that show promise for reduction of breast cancer risk in humans are with conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and n-3 fatty acids. Although a number of mechanisms have been proposed, the specific target of those fatty acids is not yet known. We sought to determine whether the effects of those fatty acids on terminally differentiated tumor cell seen could be due to alteration of breast cancer stem cells. The isomers, cis9, trans11-CLA and trans10, cis12-CLA, and the n-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic, reduced the proliferation of, and had increased toxicity towards, mammary tumor initiating cells. One mechanism involved in the effect of n-3 fatty acids may be due to alteration of the profile of prostaglandins. These results indicate that select fatty acids may be useful for preventing or reducing the risk of breast cancer as they may target the tumor initiating cell.

• Authors: Kent L Erickson, Neil E Hubbard
• Journal: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids (Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids) 2010 Apr-Jun Vol. 82 Issue 4-6 Pg. 237-41 ISSN: 1532-2823 [Electronic] Scotland
• PMID: 20363115 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Linoleic Acids, Conjugated

Topics

• Animals
• Breast Neoplasms (pathology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Linoleic Acids, Conjugated (pharmacology)
• Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental (prevention & control)
• Neoplastic Stem Cells (drug effects, pathology)
• Spheroids, Cellular (drug effects, pathology)