Induction of apoptotic cell death and in vivo growth inhibition of human cancer cells by a saturated branched-chain fatty acid, 13-methyltetradecanoic acid.
A saturated branched-chain fatty acid, 13-methyltetradecanoic acid (13-MTD), was purified from a soy fermentation product, which was used by many cancer patients as a treatment supplement. Our preliminary study indicated that 13-MTD could induce cell death in human cancer cell lines K-562, MCF7, DU 145, NCI-SNU-1, SNU-423, NCI-H1688, BxPC3, and HCT 116. The ID50 dosage of 13-MTD for these tumor cells ranged from 10 to 25 microg/ml. Further investigation revealed that 13-MTD caused tumor cell death through rapid induction of apoptosis, which could be detected 2 h after the treatment of tumor cells with 13-MTD. Xenograft tumors of prostate carcinoma cell line DU 145 and hepatocarcinoma LCI-D35 were orthotopically implanted into nude mouse prostate and liver, respectively. 13-MTD was administered p.o. once daily to the implanted mice for approximately 40 days. Our results showed that 13-MTD could effectively inhibit the growth of orthotopic tumor implants of both cell lines compared with control groups. The average inhibition rate was 84.6% for DU 145 and 65.2% for LCI-D35 (P < 0.01). LD50 test results showed that mice could well sustain the oral feeding of 5 g/kg/day without observable anomaly. Our preliminary data demonstrated that 13-MTD could effectively inhibit in vitro and in vivo growth of various cancer cell lines by inducing apoptosis without significant toxic side effects, suggesting 13-MTD as a potential candidate for chemotherapy of human cancers.
Yang
Z
Z
Pentagenic Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Diamond Bar, California 91765, USA.
Liu
S
S
Chen
X
X
Chen
H
H
Huang
M
M
Zheng
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009227:Myristic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009227:Myristic Acids; C027331:13-methyltetradecanoic acid