Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer in women and tumor metastasis is a major cause of cancer-related deaths. Our aim was to evaluate anti-metastatic properties of yerba mate extract (YMe) in BC models. 4T1, F3II, MCF-7, and MDA-MB231 cell lines were used to perform in vitro assays. The F3II syngeneic mammary carcinoma model in BALB/c mice was used to evaluate tumor progression, BC metastasis and survival. Cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the flank for the heterotopic model and into the mammary fat pad for the orthotopic model. YMe was administered p.o. in a dose of 1.6 g/kg/day. In vitro YMe inhibited cell proliferation and reduced tumor cell adhesion, migration and invasion. These biological effects were cell-line dependent. In vivo YMe reduced tumor metastasis and increased mice survival in both models. Our preclinical results suggest that YMe could modulate tumor progression and metastasis in BC models.
Highlights
Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent female cancer worldwide along with cervical cancer and both are considered the leading causes of death from cancer in women (Torre et al, 2016)
Considering the nutritional components of our extract in addition to the high antioxidant capacity exerted by their polyphenolic compounds and the bioactivities against colon tumor cells (Garcia-Lazaro et al, 2020), we became interested in studying the anti-tumor effects of yerba mate extract (YMe) in different in vitro and in vivo breast cancer models
To study the sensitivity of BC cells to YMe, we first evaluated its effect on cell proliferation of murine and human BC cell lines
Summary
BC is the most prevalent female cancer worldwide along with cervical cancer and both are considered the leading causes of death from cancer in women (Torre et al, 2016). Negative outcomes for patients with BC and the clinical complications associated with this pathology are largely due to the development of metastases. On advancement of the disease, tumor cells acquire some capabilities that allow them to leave the primary tumor and colonize a secondary organ (Hanahan and Weinberg 2011; Pillar et al, 2018). Tumor cells can colonize a new tissue and it shows an organ-specific pattern of metastasis. Lung metastases show no symptoms, until the lungs have a high amount of tumor metastasis, so clinical prognosis and treatment are significantly compromised. Clinical management has progressed substantially over the past years, at present, there is no cure currently available for metastatic BC. New approaches for treatment of BC metastasis could be very useful for cancer therapy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
