Cytotoxicity of arachidonic acid and of its lipoxygenase metabolite 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in culture.

Monolayer cultures of MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line were treated with arachidonic acid (AA) and 15-L-(s)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-L-(s)-HPETE) in a concentration range of 10(-5)-10(-11) M and their relative cytotoxic potential was determined. Both compounds had a time and dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells. 15-L-(S)-HPETE, the 15-lipoxygenase product of AA was the most effective.