Effects of fatty acids on invasion through reconstituted basement membrane ('Matrigel') by a human breast cancer cell line.

An in vitro invasion assay system was used to examine the effects of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, and two omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, on the invasive capacity of MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells. Linoleic acid stimulated, and the omega-3 fatty acids inhibited, tumor cell invasion at concentrations of 0.25 and 0.5 microgram/ml. Indomethacin, 20 micrograms/ml, completely suppressed the stimulatory activity of linoleic acid, suggesting that these fatty acid effects are mediated via eicosanoid biosynthesis.