A lipoxygenase inhibitor in breast cancer brain metastases

J Neurooncol. 2007 Mar;82(1):91-3. doi: 10.1007/s11060-006-9248-4. Epub 2006 Sep 26.

Abstract

The complication of multiple brain metastases in breast cancer patients is a life threatening condition with limited success following standard therapies. The arachidonate lipoxygenase pathway appears to play a role in brain tumor growth as well as inhibition of apoptosis in in-vitro studies. The down regulation of these arachidonate lipoxygenase growth stimulating products therefore appeared to be a worthwhile consideration for testing in brain metastases not responding to standard therapy. Boswellia serrata, a lipoxygenase inhibitor was applied for this inhibition. Multiple brain metastases were successfully reversed using this method in a breast cancer patient who had not shown improvement after standard therapy. The results suggest a potential new area of therapy for breast cancer patients with brain metastases that may be useful as an adjuvant to our standard therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arachidonate Lipoxygenases / drug effects*
  • Arachidonate Lipoxygenases / metabolism
  • Boswellia*
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Remission Induction
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
  • Arachidonate Lipoxygenases