Platelet Activating Factor: A Growth Factor for Breast Cancer

摘要

Women with a diet rich in fish oils are less likely to develop breast cancer. Recent studies have shown that the ratio of two families of essential fatty acids is important in regulating many cellular processes. Nutrition is extremely important in determining this ratio since both the separate families are obtained only from the diet. The omega 3 family is enriched in fish and grains and the omega 6 family is enriched in the meats and oils typical in modern diets. The strategy of this proposal was to study the molecular mechanisms that control this effect. We focused on the synthesis of platelet activating factor (PAF). We have shown that PAF can increase the growth of breast cancer in cell cultures. Our hypothesis is that the ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids influences the synthesis of PAF. This idea came from the fact that these fatty acids must be removed from the precursor of PAF for PAF synthesis to occur. The goal of this proposal was to test this idea and provide the knowledge that would stimulate further clinical trials using fatty acid supplementation to prevent recurrent disease.