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The effects of omega‐3 fatty acids and bexarotene on human breast cancer progression
Author(s) -
Hawk Susan Nicole,
Trappmann Jessica
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.979.3
Subject(s) - bexarotene , retinoid , retinoid x receptor , eicosapentaenoic acid , cell growth , breast cancer , cancer research , pharmacology , growth inhibition , docosahexaenoic acid , endocrinology , fatty acid , chemistry , medicine , biochemistry , cancer , biology , nuclear receptor , polyunsaturated fatty acid , retinoic acid , transcription factor , gene
Breast cancer cell growth can be inhibited by retinoid X receptor (RXR) specific retinoids. Omega‐3 fatty acids share growth regulatory effects similar to those noted when breast cancer cells are treated with RXR specific retinoids. One synthetic RXR‐selective retinoid ligand, bexarotene (LCD 1069, Targretin), is an effective antineoplastic agent in rodent mammary carcinoma models. It is also used clinically to treat cancer patients. Of concern is that some patients are unable to tolerate high doses of treatment drugs. We hypothesized that omega‐3 fatty acids and bexarotene may work synergistically to slow breast cancer cell growth. To facilitate this study, we used an in vitro cell culture model to investigate the relationship between α‐Linolenic acid (ALA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alone and in conjunction with bexarotene on MCF‐7 cell growth. Following a 72 hr incubation, neither bexarotene nor ALA altered cell growth. DHA alone and in combination with bexarotene showed a strong growth inhibitory effect. EPA alone was not as effective in altering cell growth. Interestingly, when combined with bexarotene, EPA tended to slow growth more that when cells received EPA alone. Thus, select omega‐3 fatty acids are most effective in slowing breast cancer cell progression, and may even enhance the uptake of retinoid treatment drugs and help potentiate their efficacy.