n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in human breast carcinoma phosphatidylethanolamine and early relapse

1990

Fatty Acids in Breast Cancer and Metastasis

Sample size: 32 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): M. Lanson, P. Bougnoux, P. Besson, J. Lansac, B. Hubert, C. Couet, O. Le Floch

Primary Institution: Laboratoire de Biologie des Tumeurs, CNRS URA 1334 et Faculte de Medecine, Tours, France

Is the fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids in breast carcinoma associated with the occurrence of metastasis?

A lower level of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast cancer tumors is linked to a higher probability of early metastasis.

The n-6 PUFA content was lower in tumors that gave rise to systemic metastasis than in tumors that did not.
At 18 months, the probability of remaining metastasis-free was 67% when n-6 PUFA content was below 28%.
When n-6 PUFA content was above 28%, the probability of remaining metastasis-free at 18 months was 100%.
The level of n-6 PUFA remained linked with the risk of metastasis occurrence when adjusted for other factors.

This study found that breast cancer tumors with less of a certain type of fat are more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

The study analyzed the fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids from tumor samples of breast carcinoma patients.

The study does not account for dietary fat intake of the patients.

Patients were previously untreated with localized invasive breast carcinoma.

p = 0.004

95% CI 45-89%

p<0.01

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