Effects of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Selenoneine on Growth and Lipidomic Profiles in Patient-Derived Prostate Cancer Organoids

Prostate cancer (PCa) affects a significant number of men worldwide and poses a major public health challenge. In response to this issue, researchers aim to explore the potential benefits of nutritional interventions on PCa progression. Recent research has demonstrated that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids can reduce tumour growth in PCa mouse models, although the direct molecular impact of these fatty acids on the prostate remains unclear.

The study hypothesized that prostate cells directly absorb dietary fatty acids to alter metabolism, potentially contributing to the positive outcomes on cancer treatment. To investigate this hypothesis, the researchers utilized five series of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) derived from both normal and tumour samples. These PDOs exhibited varying growth capacities, with omega-3 supplementation generally leading to decreased growth, particularly in PCa lines.

The effect was more pronounced when co-treated with selenoneine, a nutrient found in certain marine foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Lipidomic experiments confirmed that PDOs can uptake both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and metabolize omega-3 fatty acids into downstream metabolites, despite notable inter-patient variability.

This study, employing PDOs as a model to explore human prostate biology, offers valuable insights into the molecular effects of fatty acid supplementation on prostate and PCa, paving the way for future nutritional interventions.