The potential in breast tissue engineering for the combined effects of linoleic acid and tamoxifen

Literature to date has strongly suggested that linoleic acid (LA) enhances mammary cancer cell proliferation when used in the range of 0.5-20 mu g/ml. In contrast, the current in vitro studies show that deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) levels of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) MCF7 breast cancer cells were diminished following treatment with 30 mu g/ml (100 mu M) LA. MCF7 cells, when treated for 6 days with LA, consumed significantly less glucose than untreated controls (P-value < 0.01). MFC7 cells treated with 30 mu g/ml LA and 10 mM tamoxifen had even lower levels of DNA and lower glucose uptake. The same combination treatment of tamoxifen and LA was applied to a noncancerous mammary cell line, MCF10A, and did not have a significant effect on MCF10A DNA concentrations. Linoleic acid and its byproducts are important to cell proliferation and tissue reconstruction and, in combination with tamoxifen, can provide a uniquely different approach to soft tissue engineering. That is, LA and tamoxifen-loaded scaffolds may provide a viable reconstructive approach for patients undergoing lumpectomy and mastectomy by encouraging natural breast healing while limiting the ability of ER+ cancer cells to regrow. This approach could allow the suppression of estrogen-dependent mammary carcinomas while allowing natural cell proliferation after a mastectomy or lumpectomy.