The Mechanism of Lunasin's Effect on the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells Induced by Obesity-induced Inflammation

Abstract

It has long been established that diet and nutrition can have a significant impact on health and even help reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases. It makes sense that what we put into our bodies would have some bearing on how our bodies function. Indeed, the World Health Organization developed guidelines focusing on nutrient intake, with a view to reducing the global burden of disease related to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, several forms of cancer, osteoporosis and dental disease. One exciting area of research, that is little understood, is the potential efficacy of lunasin – a peptide found in soy, legume and some cereal grains – against certain types of cancer. Lunasin has shown potential in the prevention of cancers. It is able to do this by suppressing the proliferation and migration of cancer cells, and anti-inflammation in this tumour environment. A specific area of study within this is lunasin’s ability to reduce obesity associated breast cancer development. Associate Professor Chia-Chien Hsieh, a researcher based at the Programs of Nutrition Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, current work is focused on the mechanism of lunasin’s effect on the growth of breast cancer cells induced by obesity-associated inflammation. Her goal is to investigate the obesity-related breast cancer chemoprevention of lunasin, which might retard inflammatory responses around tumour microenvironment and even break the crosstalk of macrophages, adipocyte, and breast cancer cells. The aim being to provide potential strategies for ameliorating obesity-related ER(+) or ER(-) breast cancer development.