Fatty Acids Induce Stemness in the Stromal Cells of a CT26 Mouse Tumor Model

The potential effects of 2 types of fatty acids on colorectal cancer (CRC) were assessed using cancer stromal cells. Linoleic acid (LA; C-18, n-6 unsaturated fatty acid) and elaidic acid (EA; C-18, trans acid), both known to affect colon carcinogenesis and cancer progression, were administered by gavage to BALB/c mice, which were inoculated with CT26 syngeneic colon cancer cells in the back. Both EA and LA treatments enhanced tumor growth and metastasis. EA and LA also increased the number of CD133-positive stromal cells in the tumor capsule. Importantly, those cancer cells at the tumor periphery, physically attached to CD133-positive stromal cells, also expressed CD133. These findings suggest that EA and LA might induce stemness in cancer cells through physical association and promote cancer metastasis.