Co-administration of fish oil with signal transduction inhibitors has anti-migration effects in breast cancer cell lines, in vitro

Background: There is an urgent need for new therapies to treat cancer metastasis. Fish oil, with high omega 3 fatty acid content, has shown anticancer activity and signal transduction inhibitors have shown anti-metastatic properties. Objective: To provide preliminary in vitro data on the anti-migration potential of signal transduction inhibitors and co-administered fish oil. Methods: MCF-7, TamR and FasR breast cancer cell lines were used to determine the effects of combinations of PD98059, LY294002 and fish oil in growth assays. Modulations of p-Src and COX-2, both mediators of motility and invasion, were then determined by Western blotting and IHC to ascertain effects on migration potential. Results: Migration rates for the three cell lines examined were ranked: FasR>TamR>MCF-7 (p <0.05). Addition of fish oil reduced the number of TamR cells migrating after 48h (p <0.05), while the addition of PD98059 and LY294002 also decreased migratory potential of TamR cells (p <0.05). Addition of PD98059 and LY294002 to TamR cells did not result in a significant decrease in p-Src levels; as was the case when PD98059, LY294002 and 4-hydroxytamoxifen were added to MCF-7 cells. However, the co-administration of fish oil markedly reduced p-Src and COX-2 expression in both cell lines. Conclusion: Co-administration of a commercial fish oil with signal transduction inhibitors results in decreased cell migration via an unknown co-operative mechanism and could constitute a novel approach for the treatment of breast cancer metastasis

The infant feeding activity and nutrition trial (INFANT) an early intervention to prevent childhood obesity : cluster-randomised controlled trial

Background : Multiple factors combine to support a compelling case for interventions that target the development of obesity-promoting behaviours (poor diet, low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour) from their inception. These factors include the rapidly increasing prevalence of fatness throughout childhood, the instigation of obesity-promoting behaviours in infancy, and the tracking of these behaviours from childhood through to adolescence and adulthood. The Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) aims to determine the effectiveness of an early childhood obesity prevention intervention delivered to first-time parents. The intervention, conducted with parents over the infant\u27s first 18 months of life, will use existing social networks (first-time parent\u27s groups) and an anticipatory guidance framework focusing on parenting skills which support the development of positive diet and physical activity behaviours, and reduced sedentary behaviours in infancy.Methods/Design : This cluster-randomised controlled trial, with first-time parent groups as the unit of randomisation, will be conducted with a sample of 600 first-time parents and their newborn children who attend the first-time parents\u27 group at Maternal and Child Health Centres. Using a two-stage sampling process, local government areas in Victoria, Australia will be randomly selected at the first stage. At the second stage, a proportional sample of first-time parent groups within selected local government areas will be randomly selected and invited to participate. Informed consent will be obtained and groups will then be randomly allocated to the intervention or control group.Discussion : The early years hold promise as a time in which obesity prevention may be most effective. To our knowledge this will be the first randomised trial internationally to demonstrate whether an early health promotion program delivered to first-time parents in their existing social groups promotes healthy eating, physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviours. If proven to be effective, INFANT may protect children from the development of obesity and its associated social and economic costs.<br /

A novel diffusion cell model for the in vitro assessment of transcutaneous breast cancer therapeutics: effect of permeants on MCF-7 cells cultured within the receptor compartment

A novel model is described for investigating the potential efficacy of topically delivered anti-breast cancer agents. Using all-glass Franz diffusion cells, the permeation of 4-hydroxytamoxifen, two EGFR inhibitors (PD98059 and LY294002) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were determined from a fish oil vehicle across Cyclopore track etched membrane (CTEM) alone, full-thickness porcine ear skin alone and CTEM plus full-thickness porcine ear skin. Finally, the effect of the simultaneous permeation of these compounds was determined on the breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, cultured directly into the diffusion cell receptor compartments. The CTEM was found to be not rate limiting, and all compounds permeated the skin, with a large excess of EPA. The applied combined dose reduced the growth of MCF-7 cells by 66% after 7days. The following conclusions were obtained: (1) MCF-7 breast cancer cells can be successfully cultured within glass Franz diffusion cells. (2) A composite diffusion cell/cell culture model can indicate the potential efficacy of topically delivered anti-breast cancer therapeutic agents. (3) The levels of LY294002, PD98059, 4-hydroxytamoxifen and EPA delivered across full-thickness skin have a major inhibitory effect on the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Insulin-like Growth Factor-Dependent Proliferation and Survival of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells: Implications for Therapy1

Triple-negative breast cancers have a poor prognosis and are not amenable to endocrine- or HER2-targeted therapies. The prevailing view is that targeting the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signal transduction pathway will not be beneficial for triple-negative breast cancers because their growth is not IGF-responsive. The present study investigates the importance of IGFs in the proliferation and survival of triple-negative breast cancer cells. Estrogen and progesterone receptors, HER2, type I IGF, and insulin receptors were measured by Western transfer analysis. The effects of IGF-1 on proliferation were assessed by DNA quantitation and on cell survival by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. The effect of IGF-1 on phosphorylation of the IGF receptors, Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase, was measured by Western transfer analysis. Seven cell lines were identified as models of triple-negative breast cancer and shown to express IGF receptors at levels similar to those present in estrogen-responsive cell lines known to respond to IGFs. IGF-1 increased the proliferation and cell survival of all triple-negative cell lines. Proliferation was attenuated after reduction of type I IGF receptor expression. Cells that express higher levels of receptor were more sensitive to subnanomolar IGF-1 concentrations, but the magnitude of the effects was not correlated simply with the absolute amount or phosphorylation of the IGF receptors, Akt or mitogen-activated protein kinase. These results show that IGFs stimulate cell proliferation and promote cell survival in triple-negative breast cancer cells and warrant investigation of the IGF signal transduction pathway as a therapeutic target for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer