Olive oil may help fight breast cancer

The research has shown that oleic acid, one of the components of olive oil, down- regulates (reduces) the expression of a breast cancer gene called Her-2/neu. This gene, expressed on the cells of many breast cancers, is the gene which is targeted by the chemotherapy drug Herceptin. This drug is currently used to treat some breast cancer patient’s breast cancer whose cancer cells express this gene (referred to as “Her-2 positive tumours”.) The research performed in the United States suggests that the oleic acid in olive oil may help fight breast cancer in two ways: by reducing the expression of the her-2/neu gene, and by increasing the effectiveness of Herceptin chemotherapy.

“We have known for some time that the incidence of heart disease and some types of cancer are lower in some Mediterranean countries, where olive oil is an important part of the diet” Professor John Boyages, Executive Director of the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute said. “This research is very promising. It may be that in the future we are able to prescribe simple dietary changes that will help in our fight against breast cancer.”

Professor Boyages, however, cautions that this research was performed on cells outside the body, in a research laboratory, and that the behaviour of cells in this environment is not always the same as the behaviour of cells in a living patient.

“At this stage, I would not recommend that women change their diet to include more olive oil when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. This research brings us one step closer to our understanding of breast cancer, but more research in the area is required,” Professor Boyages said. “A balanced diet has proven health benefits in a number of areas, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It is too early to be recommending any major dietary changes on the basis of this new research,” Professor Boyages added.

Ref: Menendez M, Vellon L, Colomer R, Lupu R. Oleic acid, the main monounsaturated fatty acid of olive oil, suppresses her-2/neu (erb B-2) expression and synergistically enhances the growth inhibitory effects of trastuzumab (Herceptin™) in breast cancer cells with Her-2/neu oncogene amplification. Annals of Oncology Advance Access published Jan 10, 2005.

Links:

Patient information guide - Nutrition and breast cancer risk

Patient information guide - Nutrition after breast cancer