The effect of sesame seed, tamoxifen, and their combination on tumor growth and bone in ovariectomized athymic mice with estrogen-responsive breast cancer

Sandra Maria Sacco

TSpace (University of Toronto), 2006

Abstract

Lignan-rich flaxseed protects against breast cancer and enhances the breast cancer drug tamoxifen (TAM). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of lignan-rich sesame seed (SS), TAM, and their combination (SS + TAM) on estrogen (E2) responsive MCF-7 breast tumor growth and bone health in ovariectomized athymic mice under low (Study 1) and high (Study 2) E2 levels simulating post- and pre-menopausal conditions, respectively. In both studies, SS did not inhibit MCF-7 tumors and negated the tumor-inhibitory effect of TAM, by increasing cell proliferation or reducing apoptosis. In Study 1, SS + TAM induced higher bone mineral content and density, and biomechanical strength in the femur and lumbar vertebrae than either treatment alone, while in Study 2, it enhanced only femur biomechanical strength. In conclusion, SS is not protective and negatively interferes with TAM against E2-responsive MCF-7 breast tumors but beneficially interacts with TAM on bone.

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