Prevention of Mammary Cancer with Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Role of the Stroma and the Epithelium

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), found naturally in dairy products and ruminant meats, refers to isomers of octadecadienoic acid with conjugated double bonds. CLA inhibits both DMBA- and NMU-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis, and its antitumor efficacy is similar whether it is fed only during puberty, or continuously during promotion. Pubertal feeding is associated with a reduced proliferation of the epithelial cells within the terminal end buds (TEBs) and lobular epithelium, and results in a decrease in the epithelial density, suggesting a reduction in the carcinogen-sensitive target population. During promotion, CLA feeding induces apoptosis of preneoplastic lesions. The effects of CLA are mediated by a direct action on the epithelium, as well as by an indirect effect through the stroma. CLA is incorporated into the neutral lipids of mammary adipocytes, where it can serve as a local reservoir of CLA. Additionally, CLA induces the adipogenic differentiation of multipotent mammary stromal cells in vitro, and inhibits their development into three-dimensional capillary networks. This suggested that CLA might inhibit angiogenesis in vivo, a hypothesis that was subsequently confirmed. The antiangiogenic effect is mediated, in part, through a CLA-induced decrease in serum VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and mammary gland VEGF and flk-1. Together, the data suggest that CLA may be an excellent candidate for prevention of breast cancer.