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Linolenic Acid Inhibits Cancer Stemness and Induces Apoptosis by Regulating Nrf2 Expression in Gastric Cancer Cells
Jen-Lung Chen1, Yi-Shih Ma2, Kuen-Jang Tsai3
1Department of Surgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
|August 27, 2025
Summary
Linolenic acid (LA), an omega-3 fatty acid, shows promise in treating gastric cancer by targeting cancer stem cells. LA inhibits stemness, induces oxidative stress, and promotes apoptosis, offering a potential nutritional supplement with fewer side effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chemotherapy for gastric cancer has limited efficacy and severe side effects.
- Cancer stem cells contribute to tumor growth and chemoresistance.
- Targeting cancer stemness with minimal side effects is crucial for effective gastric cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of linolenic acid (LA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, as a nutritional supplement to target gastric cancer stemness.
- To evaluate the effects of LA on key stemness characteristics, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in gastric cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of gastric cancer cells with linolenic acid (LA).
- Assessment of stemness markers, oxidative stress levels, and apoptosis.
- Analysis of the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in LA's effects.
Main Results:
- LA treatment significantly inhibited gastric cancer stemness characteristics.
- LA induced oxidative stress and caspase-3-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells.
- LA downregulated Nrf2-mediated expression, linking its effects to this antioxidant pathway.
Conclusions:
- Linolenic acid (LA) demonstrates potential as a nutritional supplement for targeting cancer stemness in gastric cancer.
- LA exerts anti-cancer effects by inhibiting stemness, inducing oxidative stress, and promoting apoptosis via Nrf2 pathway modulation.
- Further research into LA as a therapeutic agent for gastric cancer is warranted.
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