Flaxseed inhibits metastasis and decreases extracellular vascular endothelial growth factor in human breast cancer xenografts.
Angiogenesis is important in tumor growth, progression and metastatic dissemination. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one key factor in promotion of breast cancer angiogenesis. VEGFs are bioactive in the extracellular space where they become available to the endothelial cells. Phytoestrogens such as lignans have been shown to alter breast cancer incidence and be cancer-protective in rats. We show that supplementation of 10% flaxseed, the richest source of mammalian lignans, to nude mice with established human breast tumors reduced tumor growth and metastasis. Moreover, flaxseed decreased extracellular levels of VEGF, which may be one mechanistic explanation to the decreased tumor growth and metastasis.
Dabrosin
Charlotta
C
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 150 College Street, ON, M5S 3E2, Toronto, Canada.
Chen
Jianmin
J
Wang
Linda
L
Thompson
Lilian U
LU
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D015536:Down-Regulation; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005110:Extracellular Space; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007529:Isoflavones; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D012639:Seeds; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007529:Isoflavones; D008222:Lymphokines; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors