Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most diagnosed neoplasms worldwide, especially in women. The disease occurs due to genetic variations that modify cell behavior in various cellular aspects, increasing proliferation and preventing cell death among them. Breast cancer presents an average response rate to conventional treatments of between 50% and 60%, given that in the long term, it may present natural or tumor-acquired resistance ar. Diets that include foods that contribute to enhance the molecular mechanism of anti-tumoral medications or stop the development of tumor recurrence, could be important in improving patient survival. Among foods with antitumor biological activities such as antiproliferative or antioxidant activity, those with high phenolic content and a purple color have gained prominence in recent years. In the present research, it has been found that purple and pink-colored Chilean native potato genotypes possess high concentrations of total phenolic content and anthocyanins. The results showed that the potato extract modified the antioxidant response of breast cancer cells. Additionally, three high-pigmented potatoes induce significant cell death in two different breast cancer cell lines. As a molecular mechanism, the extract with high anti-tumoral activities can modulate the gene expression of Bax and Bcl-2, both associated with cell death. In summary, the results demonstrate the important biological activities of native potato genotypes on breast cancer cell viability. It is important to highlight the great biomedical potential of these potatoes, which could be cultivated extensively, be used worldwide for nutrition and may be an excellent complementary option for patients undergoing breast cancer treatments.