Cyanidin-3-glucoside Hinders Neoplastic Progression in a Spontaneous Mammary Tumor Model

Background/Aim: Dietary and lifestyle patterns may help reduce the risk of breast cancer, and cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) is the most extensively studied anthocyanin found in fruits and vegetables. This study aimed to investigate the effects of C3G administration in a spontaneous model of mammary tumors. Materials and Methods: MMTV-PyVT transgenic mice were randomly assigned to receive either C3G treatment or vehicle, as control. C3G was administered prior to the onset of mammary tumors. After the mice were sacrificed, mammary tumors underwent RNA sequencing. Results: Mice that received C3G exhibited a significantly smaller tumor burden and a longer tumor-free interval. Histological analysis revealed a delayed transformation from hyperplasia to invasive carcinoma, which was further confirmed by whole-mount carmine alum staining. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis indicated negative enrichment of the Akt pathway in the C3G group, consistent with the reduced expression of phosphorylated Akt in mammary tumors. Conclusion: Administering C3G before the onset of mammary tumors hinders, but does not prevent, the development of hyperplasia and its progression to aggressive carcinomas.