Combinatorial epigenetic mechanisms and efficacy of early breast cancer inhibition by nutritive botanicals

Authors:
Li Y, Buckhaults P, Cui X, Tollefsbol TO
In:
Source: Epigenetics
Publication Date: (2016)
Issue: 8(8): 1019-37
Research Area:
Cancer Research/Cell Biology
Cells used in publication:
Epithelial, mammary, human (HMEC)
Species: human
Tissue Origin: breast
Experiment
Lonza\\\'s HMECs were transfected to mimic cancer cells. The researchers checked into the potential impact of the combination of GRPs (green tea polyphenols) and BSp (broccoli spouts) on neutralizing epigenetic aberrations during tumor formation.
Abstract
AIM: Aberrant epigenetic events are important contributors to the pathogenesis of different types of cancers and dietary botanicals with epigenetic properties can influence early cancer development leading to cancer prevention effects. We sought to investigate potential combinatorial effects of bioactive dietary components including green tea polyphenols (GTPs) and broccoli sprouts (BSp) on neutralizing epigenetic aberrations during breast tumorigenesis. MATERIALS & METHODS: The combinatorial effects were evaluated in a breast cancer transformation cellular system and breast cancer mouse xenografts. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Combined treatment with epigallocatechin-3-gallate in GTPs and sulforaphane in BSp resulted in a synergistic inhibition of breast cancer cellular growth. Further studies revealed this combination led to genome-wide epigenetic alterations. Combinatorial diets significantly inhibited tumor growth in breast cancer mouse xenografts. Collectively, these studies indicate that combined GTPs and BSp are highly effective in inhibiting early breast cancer development by, at least in part, regulating epigenetic mechanisms.