Linoleic-acid-induced growth suppression induces quiescent cancer cell nests in nude mice

We examined the effect of linoleic acid (LA) on tumor formation. Cell growth was suppressed by LA in a dose-dependent manner in MKN28 and Colo320 cells. Continuous treatment with LA provided growth arrest in both cells at 5-7 weeks after the treatment. LA-pretreated MKN28 and Colo320 cells showed higher tumorigenicity (9/10 and 10/10, respectively) than nontreated cells (2/10 and 3/10, respectively; p < 0.01) in nude mice. In contrast, LA-pretreated MKN28 and Colo320 cells showed more suppressed tumor growth than nontreated cells (p < 0.01). LA-pretreated MKN28 and Colo320 cells with LA administration after the inoculation did not form macroscopic tumors. Histological examination revealed small cancer cell aggregations, which showed no proliferative activity. In LA-treated MKN28 and Colo320 cells, protein production of Bcl-2 was increased, whereas Bak, EGFR and VEGF levels were decreased. These findings suggest that LA might induce quiescence and subsequent dormancy in cancer cells.