Magnesium in Breast Cancer: What Is Its Influence on the Progression of This Disease?

Abstract

Breast cancer is a disease of high mortality, characterized by the progressive accumulation of mutations that contribute to the uncontrolled development of breast tissue cells. Literature shows that disturbances in mineral homeostasis, such as magnesium, may interfere with tumor progression. The objective of this study is to provide updated information about magnesium's role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. A review of literature was carried out from a search for articles in the PubMed and CAPES Periodicals databases published between 1995 and 2016 with the cross-references of the descriptors "magnesium," "breast neoplasms," and "oxidative stress" and the corresponding words in Portuguese. We included studies on the metabolism and bioavailability of magnesium and studies related to breast cancer and excluded articles in which only the abstract was available, dissertations, theses, articles involving adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant therapies, and supplementation of minerals in breast cancer patients. Magnesium is a mineral that participates in the metabolism of various nutrients and nucleic acids. In the presence of breast cancer, neoplastic cells increase the expression of magnesium transport channels, which raises the intracellular concentration of the mineral, contributing to tumor growth through its function of increasing energy demand. The data obtained in this review illustrates the influence of magnesium on the progression of breast cancer. However, the existing data are scarce and inconsistent, which demonstrates a need for further studies on the subject with a goal to have better control of the disease.

Genetically predicted circulating concentrations of micronutrients and risk of breast cancer: A Mendelian randomization study

“…[50][51][52] The genetic instruments used in our analysis affect magnesium homeostasis and mechanistic studies suggest that increased concentrations of magnesium within breast cancer cells can lead to tumor progression through the regulation of enzymes involved in energy generation, and its presence is also needed for cell adhesion and cancer metastasis. 53,54 Evidence from animal studies suggests that magnesium has a protective effect in the early phases of chemical carcinogenesis but promotes tumor growth. 55 additional limitation of our study is that the GWAS studies for the different micronutrients involved both men and women, whereas breast cancer was assessed only in women.…”

Magnesium in Combinatorial With Valproic Acid Suppressed the Proliferation and Migration of Human Bladder Cancer Cells

“…Both epidemiological and clinical studies suggested that magnesium deficiency is associated with an increased risk of tumorigenesis (18,19). In breast cancer, the cancer cells promote the expression of magnesium transport channels to enhance the intracellular concentration of the mineral, thereby meeting the increasing energy demand of cancer cells (20). Furthermore, reduced serum levels of Mg 2+ is frequently associated in patients with solid tumors and is frequently correlated with the advanced malignancy.…”

Circulating concentrations of micro-nutrients and risk of breast cancer: A Mendelian randomization study

“…In interpretation of this finding is unclear, as breast density is a risk factor for breast cancer but it may also obscure detection of the disease [47][48][49]. The genetic instruments used in our analysis affect magnesium homeostasis and mechanistic studies suggest that increased concentrations of magnesium within breast cancer cells can lead to tumour progression through the regulation of enzymes involved in energy generation, and its presence is also needed for cell adhesion and cancer metastasis [50,51]. Evidence from animal studies suggests that magnesium has a protective effect in the early phases of chemical carcinogenesis but promotes tumour growth [52].…”