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Iron enhances tumor growth. Observation on spontaneous mammary tumors in mice
Author(s) -
Hann HieWon L.,
Stahlhut Mark W.,
Menduke Hyman
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19911201)68:11<2407::aid-cncr2820681113>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - medicine , dietary iron , iron levels , cancer , physiology , endocrinology , iron deficiency , anemia
Iron is essential for the growth of all cells, including tumor cells. The authors previously reported that a variety of transplantable tumors grew faster and larger in mice that were on an iron‐rich diet compared with those on an iron‐deficient diet. In this study the authors examined the relationship between iron in the diet and development of tumors in mice that are known to develop spontaneous tumors—C3H/HeN‐MTV + (C 3 H‐MTV + ) mice that were congenitally infected with mammary tumor virus. These mice have a greater than 96% chance of developing mammary tumors between the ages of 7.2 and 9.2 months. Fifteen C 3 H‐MTV + weanlings were given a low‐iron diet (5 mg iron/kg diet), and 15 were given diets with normal amounts of iron (180 mg Fe/kg diet). Thirteen of the 15 mice from the low‐iron group and all 15 mice from the normal‐iron group developed tumors. The average tumor growth rate in the normal‐iron group was 112%/wk, compared with 62%/wk for the low‐iron group. The difference in tumor growth rate between the two groups was significant ( P = 0.02 by Student's t test). In this study, low iron intake did not prevent tumor development, but the results confirm the authors' previous report that iron nutrition of the host affects tumor growth; tumors grow better in an iron‐rich environment. High levels of iron in the diet may enhance tumor growth, and this should be considered when treating patients with cancer. Cancer 68:2407–2410, 1991.