Expression of human delta-6-desaturase is associated with aggressiveness of human breast cancer

  • Authors:
    • Jane Lane
    • Robert E. Mansel
    • Wen G. Jiang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: August 1, 2003     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.12.2.253
  • Pages: 253-257
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Abstract

Highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) are cyto-toxic to cancer cells and generated in the body by desaturation from essential fatty acids, primarily involving delta-6-desaturase. This study, for the first time, examined the level of expression of human delta-6-desaturase as well as delta-4-desaturase in human breast cancer. Breast tumours (n=102) which comprised of 88 ductal and 14 lobular carcinomas, as well as normal breast tissues (n=31), together with breast cancer cell lines were analysed for the level of expression of delta-6- and delta-4-desaturases using RT-PCR and quantitative PCR. A lower level of delta-6-desaturase was seen in breast tumour compared with normal tissues. Tumours from patients who had a poor prognostic index and from those who died of breast cancer had the lowest level of delta-6-desaturase (median follow-up 72 months). In addition, TNM3 and TNM4 tumours had significantly lower level of delta-6-desaturase than TNM1 tumours. Interestingly, ductal tumours displayed significantly higher level of the enzyme than lobular tumours. In contrast, a stepwise increase of delta-4-desaturase was seen in tumour from patients with poor prognosis. It is concluded that aggressive breast tumours have a reduced level of delta-6-desaturase. This aberrant expression has clinical bearings to the outcome in patients with breast cancer.

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August 2003
Volume 12 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Lane J, Mansel RE and Jiang WG: Expression of human delta-6-desaturase is associated with aggressiveness of human breast cancer. Int J Mol Med 12: 253-257, 2003
APA
Lane, J., Mansel, R.E., & Jiang, W.G. (2003). Expression of human delta-6-desaturase is associated with aggressiveness of human breast cancer. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 12, 253-257. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.12.2.253
MLA
Lane, J., Mansel, R. E., Jiang, W. G."Expression of human delta-6-desaturase is associated with aggressiveness of human breast cancer". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 12.2 (2003): 253-257.
Chicago
Lane, J., Mansel, R. E., Jiang, W. G."Expression of human delta-6-desaturase is associated with aggressiveness of human breast cancer". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 12, no. 2 (2003): 253-257. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.12.2.253