Growth inhibition of MCF-7 and MCF-10A human breast cells by alpha-tocopheryl hemisuccinate, cholesteryl hemisuccinate and their ether analogs.

The growth inhibitory properties of alpha-tocopheryl hemisuccinate (vitamin E succinate) and related compounds were examined in MCF-7 human breast tumor cells and MCF-10A normal-like human breast cells since they have been suggested to be an effective antitumor compound. The data showed that both alpha-tocopherol hemisuccinate and a structurally-similar compound, cholesteryl hemisuccinate, inhibited the growth of MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells, while alpha-tocopherol, cholesterol, cholesteryl sulfate and Tris succinate had little effect on cell growth. The ether analogs of the succinate esters, alpha-tocopheryloxybutyric acid and cholesteryloxybutyric acid, also inhibited growth of MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells, indicating that hydrolysis of the succinate esters by esterases is not required for the antiproliferative effects. The antiproliferative effects of these succinate esters and ethers may be related to their physiochemical properties that allow incorporation into cell membranes.