Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid from fish oils) for the treatment of cancer cachexia

Abstract

There were insufficient data to establish whether oral EPA was better than placebo. Comparisons of EPA combined with a protein energy supplementation versus a protein energy supplementation (without EPA) in the presence of an appetite stimulant (Megestrol Acetate) provided no evidence that EPA improves symptoms associated with the cachexia syndrome often seen in patients with advanced cancer.

Malignant Melanoma S3‐Guideline “Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow‐up of Melanoma”

“…A 2007 Cochrane review judged available data as insufficient as to the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of cancer cachexia [637]. Thus, due to inconsistent data, omega-3 fatty acids are not a component of evidence-based therapy.…”

A review of weight loss and sarcopenia in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation

“…Patients with HNSCC undergoing primary surgical approach did show short-term benefit in loss of muscle mass with EPA, but longer-term follow is needed [49]. A Cochrane review on the use of EPA in cancer cachexia was completed in 2007 and recommended against regular use of EPA [50]. An alternative approach recently explored is anamorelin, an oral ghrelin mimetic.…”

Pårørendes opplevelser og erfaringer ved ufrivillig vekttap hos lungekreftpasienter i palliativ fase

“…Cachexia opptrer hos halvparten av nydiagnostiserte kreftpasienter, og assosieres saerlig til lunge-og gastrointestinalkreft (1,4,5). Flere studier viser at det ikke er mulig å reversere denne tilstanden i framskredet stadium av kreftsykdom (4,(6)(7)(8)(9).…”