TITLE:
The Effects of n-3 Fatty Acids and Bexarotene on Breast Cancer Cell Progression
AUTHORS:
Jessica Trappmann, Susan N. Hawk
KEYWORDS:
Bexarotene, Breast Cancer, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Omega-3 Fatty Acid, MCF-7
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.2 No.5,
December
31,
2011
ABSTRACT: Breast cancer cell growth can be inhibited in vivo by retinoid X receptor (RXR) specific retinoids. In both animal and cell culture studies, omega-3 fatty acids share growth regulatory effects similar to those of RXR specific retinoids (rexinoids). One synthetic rexinoid, bexarotene (LCD 1069, Targretin), is used clinically to treat cancer patients. Of concern is that some patients are unable to tolerate high doses of such treatment drugs. We hypothesized that n-3 fatty acids and bexarotene may work synergistically to slow breast cancer cell growth. To test our hypothesis, we used MCF-7 human mammary carcinoma cells and an in vitro cell culture model. We investigated the relationship between the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alone and in conjunction with bexarotene in slowing MCF-7 cell growth. Following a 72 hr incubation with the respective treatments, bexarotene enhanced cell growth (p