Dietary flaxseed-trastuzumab interactive effects on the growth of HER2-overexpressing human breast tumors (BT-474)

Nutr Cancer. 2013;65(3):451-9. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2013.756921.

Abstract

Flaxseed (FS) reduces breast tumorigenesis and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression in postmenopausal patients and animal models. The primary treatment for HER2-overexpressing tumors is trastuzumab (TRAS). FS oil enhances TRAS effectiveness in athymic mice but the FS effect is unknown and was therefore determined. Athymic mice with established BT-474 tumors were fed the basal diet (control), or 10% FS diet, with or without TRAS (2.5mg/kg) treatment for 5 wk. After 2 wk, TRAS and FS reduced tumor size with a trend for an FS × TRAS interaction; however, after 5 wk, only TRAS reduced tumor size and increased tumor apoptosis. FS did not further improve TRAS effect but increased overall survival. TRAS reduced signaling biomarkers [phosphorylated HER2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins; Akt1, Akt2, MAPK, and estrogen receptor-α mRNA], FS reduced phosphorylated-Akt1 protein, and FS × TRAS interactions were seen for HER2 mRNA and phosphorylated-Akt1 protein. FS, with and without TRAS, increased tumor n-3 PUFA levels and serum lignans indicating potential roles in the observed effect. In conclusion, TRAS reduces tumor growth by influencing HER2 signaling. Dietary FS has minimal tumor-reducing effect, does not interfere with TRAS action, but improves overall survival in athymic mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents*
  • Apoptosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Female
  • Flax*
  • Genes, erbB-2 / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Receptors, Estrogen / analysis
  • Receptors, Growth Factor / analysis
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Trastuzumab
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Fatty Acids
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Growth Factor
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Trastuzumab