Abstract

Human breast milk (HBM) provides neonates with indispensable nutrition. The present study evaluated the anti-cancer activity of diluted and pasteurized early HBM (< 6 weeks’ lactation) on human breast cancer cell lines. The cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB231 were exposed to 1% HBM from the 1st, 3rd, and 6th weeks of lactation and exhibited reduced proliferation rates. As controls, breast cell lines (293T and MCF-10A), breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), and CD133hiCXCR4hiALDH1hi patient-derived human cancer stem-like cells (KUCSLCs) were treated with prominent milk proteins β-casein, κ-casein, and lactoferrin at varying doses (10, 50, and 100 μg) for 24 or 48 hrs. The impact of these proteins on cell proliferation was investigated. Breast cancer cell lines treated with κ-casein and lactoferrin exhibited significantly reduced viability, in both a dose- and time-dependent manner. Interestingly, κ-casein selectively impacted only cancer (but not normal breast) cell lines, particularly the more malignant cell line. However, β-casein-exposed human breast cancer cell lines exhibited a significantly higher proliferation rate. Thus, κ-casein and lactoferrin appear to exert selective anti-cancer activities. Further studies are warranted to determine the mechanisms underlying κ-casein- and lactoferrin-mediated cancer cell-selective cytotoxic effects.