ω-3 free fatty acids and all-trans retinoic acid synergistically induce growth inhibition of three subtypes of breast cancer cell lines

Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 7;7(1):2929. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-03231-9.

Abstract

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), one of vitamin A derivatives, shows greater growth inhibition of breast cancer cell for ER-positive than ER-negative cells, while triple negative breast cancer cell such as MDA-MB-231 cell is poorly responsive to ATRA treatment. In this study, we found that combination of ω-3 free fatty acids (ω-3 FFAs) and ATRA exhibited synergistic inhibition of cell growth in three subtypes (ER+ MCF7, HER2+ SK-BR-3, Triple negative HCC1806 and MDA-MB-231 cells) of human breast cancer cell lines. The combined treatment of ω-3 FFAs and ATRA resulted in cell cycle arrest. ω-3 FFAs combined with ATRA synergistically provoked cell apoptosis via the caspase signals but not p53. These findings suggest that combined chemotherapy of ω-3 FFAs with ATRA is beneficial for improvement of ATRA sensitivity in breast cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Tretinoin
  • Caspases