Regular Article

British Journal of Cancer (1999) 79, 1765–1769. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6690281 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 12 March 1999

Cytotoxic drugs efficacy correlates with adipose tissue docosahexaenoic acid level in locally advanced breast carcinoma

P Bougnoux1, E Germain1, V Chajès1, B Hubert2, C Lhuillery3, O Le Floch1, G Body4 and G Calais1

  1. 1Laboratoire de Biologie des Tumeurs et Clinique d'Oncologie-Radiothérapie, 37044 Tours, France
  2. 2Service d'Information Médicale et d'Hygiène, Hôpital Bretonneau, 37044 Tours, France
  3. 3LNSA, INRA; 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, 37044 Tours, France
  4. 4Service de Gynécologie (UPRES-EA2103), Hôpital Bretonneay, 37044 Tours, France

Correspondence: P Bougnoux, CORAD, Hôpital Bretonneau, F-37044 Tours, France

Received 4 March 1998; Revised 17 July 1998; Accepted 30 July 1998.

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Abstract

Experimental studies indicated that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may increase sensitivity of mammary tumours to several cytotoxic drugs. To evaluate this hypothesis in breast cancer, we have prospectively studied the association between levels of fatty acids stored in breast adipose tissue and the response of the tumour to chemotherapy in 56 patients with an initially localized breast carcinoma. Adipose breast tissue was obtained at the time of biopsy, and individual fatty acids were measured as a percentage of total fatty acids using capillary gas chromatography. Patients then received primary chemotherapy, combining mitoxantrone, vindesine, cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil every 4 weeks. Tumour size was reassessed after three cycles of chemotherapy. Tumour response was evaluated according to World Health Organization criteria. Complete or partial response to chemotherapy was achieved in 26 patients (47%). Level of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissue was higher in the group of patients with complete or partial response to chemotherapy than in patients with no response or with tumour progression (P < 0.004). Among n-3 polyunsaturated, only docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) was significantly associated with tumour response (P < 0.005). In a logistic regression analysis taking into account age, body mass index and tumour size, 22:6 n-3 level proved to be an independent predictor for chemosensitivity (P = 0.03). These results suggest that, in breast cancer, 22:6 n-3 may increase the response of the tumour to the cytotoxic agents used.

Keywords:

n-3 fatty acids, adipose tissue, docosahexaenoic acid, breast carcinoma, chemosensitivity

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