Immunotherapeutic and Antitumoral Potential of Fatty Acids from Subantarctic Macroalgae (Sarcopeltis skottsbergii)

Immunotherapy has emerged as a pivotal approach in cancer treatment, harnessing the body's immune system to recognize and eradicate tumor cells. The search for novel compounds that can enhance immune responses while selectively targeting cancer cells remains a significant area of research. This study investigates the immunotherapeutic and antitumoral potential of fatty acids derived from the subantarctic red macroalgae Sarcopeltis skottsbergii. The cytotoxic effects of these fatty acids were evaluated in vitro using HCC1954 (breast cancer), HL-60 (leukemia), and CHO (non-tumoral) cell lines. Results demonstrated significant inhibition of cell proliferation by MTT assay in HCC1954 and HL-60 cell lines (52% and 57.9% of growth inhibition, respectively), with no observed cytotoxicity in CHO cells. Cytotoxicity was also confirmed by fluorescence assay (LIVE/DEAD). Additionally, real-time PCR analysis conducted on the J774A.1 macrophage cell line and primary culture of mice splenocytes revealed increased expression of interleukins IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, which play a pivotal role in the immune system, indicating a balanced immune response that both mitigates excessive inflammation and promotes direct antitumor activity. These findings suggest that fatty acids from S. skottsbergii can adapt an immune response, contributing to the immunomodulation of the tumor. The absence of cytotoxicity in non-tumoral cells, combined with selective inhibition of cancer cell growth and immune activation, highlights the potential of S. skottsbergii fatty acids as a promising adjuvant in cancer therapy. These results underscore the value of natural compounds from marine sources in developing innovative immunotherapeutic strategies against cancer.