Grape Skin Polyphenols (GSPs) Inhibit the Migration of Mouse Mammary Carcinoma 4T1 Cells in Vitro

Breast cancer, one of the most common cancers worldwide, accounts for approximately 20% of female cancer mortality and is capable of metastasizing to local lymph nodes as well as to distal organs, such as bone, lung and liver[1]. Approximately 76% of all breast tumors have been categorized as invasive breast cancers. Metastasis is a complex and multi-step dispersion process by which malignant tumor cells from the primary tumor site spread to a secondary site within the body[2]. Cell migration is a critical process of invasion, allowing primary tumors to metastasize. Although several modalities, including surgery, hormone therapy and radiation therapy, are available for the treatment of breast cancer, these treatment modalities are not effective once metastasis has occurred. Epidemiologic studies indicate that dietary habits play crucial roles in both the induction and the prevention of cancer, including breast newer and effective botanicals, particularly dietary supplements, which can reduce the risk of breast cancer incidence and metastasis. To that end, grapes, one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, have enormous health benefits. Grape skin polyphenols (GSPs) are mainly composed of anthocyanidins and anthocyanins, which are natural pigments with antioxidant properties that also promote cancer-fi ghting effects[5]. Some studies have shown that GSPs inhibit the growth of mammary carcinoma cells [6]. However, their effi cacy on metastasis and migration of cancer cells remain unknown. Mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 cells have been employed to examine the therapeutic effi cacy and molecular mechanisms of chemotherapeutic agents that are relevant to humans[7-9]. The 4T1 cells are highly metastatic and poorly immunogenic and exhibit characteristics that resemble those of stage IV breast cancer in humans[10-13]. Therefore, we examined the chemoprotective efficacy of GSPs in 4T1 cells. Here, we report that in vitro treatment of 4T1 breast cancer cells with GSPs signifi cantly inhibits their migration.