Dr. Erik Nelson, Dr. Donald McDonnell, and colleagues at Duke University reported the discovery of a cholesterol metabolite that mimics the action of estrogen in the development and spread of breast cancer.
High cholesterol levels have been associated with high levels of breast cancer by previous research but no chemical has been identified that produces the relationship.
The researcher had previously shown that 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC) behaved similarly to estrogen in animals.
The scientists found that 27HC was directly involved in the growth of breast tumors and the aggressive growth of breast tumors in mice. The rate of growth was reduced by eliminating the 27HC from the diet or treatment with anti-estrogens. The 27HC molecule acts like an estrogen substitute in the development and aggressive growth of breast cancer.
The researchers found that 27HC was present in all breast cancers removed from humans. 27HC was found to interfere with the action of the anti-estrogen tamoxifen and other commonly used breast cancer therapies.
This is the first research that proves a direct chemical like between high cholesterol and the development or breast tumors as well as the aggressive growth of breast cancer.
The production of 27HC can be controlled by diet and by statins that are taken for cholesterol management.
