Sulforaphane inhibits mammary adipogenesis by targeting adipose mesenchymal stem cells

It is now well accepted that tumor cells actively communicate with the tumor microenvironment (e.g., adipocytes) leading to the progression of breast cancer and other malignancies. It is also known that adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to differentiate into mature adipocytes and initiate cytokine signaling within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we examine the role of MSC-differentiated adipocytes on breast cancer cell migration, and test the effects of sulforaphane (SFN, a dietary chemoprevention agent) on adipocyte-breast cancer cell interaction. Our results demonstrate that SFN promotes MSC self-renewal and inhibits adipogenic differentiation. Subsequently, SFN treatment of adipocytes considerably hinders cytokine communication with breast cancer cells, thereby decreasing breast cancer cell migration and tumor formation.