Introduction: The beneficial effects of oleic acid in
cancer processes can no longer be doubted, but little is
known about the mechanisms of action behind this
phenomenon.
Aim: The aim of the present review is to clarify
whether oleic acid has an effect on important mechanisms
related to the carcinogenic processes. Aim: The aim of the present review is to clarify
whether oleic acid has an effect on important mechanisms related to the carcinogenic processes. Methods:We searched electronic databases and biblio -
graphies of selected articles were inspected for further reference. We focused our research on two cellular transformations characterizing cancer development: proliferation and cell death or apoptosis. Results: Numerous studies have reported an inhibition
in cell proliferation induced by oleic acid in different tumor cell lines. Herein, oleic acid could suppress the
over-expression of HER2 (erbB-2), a well-characterized
oncogene which plays a key role in the etiology, invasive
progression and metastasis in several human cancers. In
addition, oleic acid could play a role in intracellular
calcium signaling pathways linked to the proliferation
event. Regarding cell death, oleic acid has been shown to
induce apoptosis in carcinoma cells. The mechanisms
behind the apoptotic event induced by oleic acid could be
related to an increase in intracellular ROS production or
caspase 3 activity. Several unsaturated fatty acids have
been reported to induce apoptosis through a release of
calcium from intracellular stores. However, evidence
regarding such a role in oleic acid is lacking. Conclusions:Oleic acid plays a role in the activation of
different intracellular pathways involved in carcinoma cell development. Such a role could be the root of its antitumoral effects reported in clinical studies