Fish oil supplementation during chemotherapy increases posterior time to tumor progression in colorectal cancer

Abstract

The authors evaluated clinical outcomes during and after chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients supplemented with fish oil during the first 9 wk of treatment. Thirty individuals never submitted to chemotherapy were randomized into supplemented group (SG), which received 2 g/day of fish oil (0.6 g/day of EPA and DHA) for 9 wk or control group (CG), which received neither fish oil nor placebo. Outcomes assessed were number of chemotherapy cycles administered; days undergoing chemotherapy; number of delays and interruptions in the administration of chemotherapy; number of hospitalizations during chemotherapy; tumor progression; values of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA); days until events (death and progression); and 3 yr survival. Time to tumor progression was significantly longer in SG [S593 days (±211.5)] vs. CG [330 days (± 135.1); P = 0.04], other outcomes did not differ between groups. Subjects with advanced cancer who received fish oil presented longer time to tumor progression and lower CEA values after chemotherapy; however these differences were not statistically significant. Supplementation with 2 g/day of fish oil for the first 9 wk of chemotherapy may contribute to delay in tumor progression in colorectal patients, possibly by enhancing the antineoplastic action of the chemotherapeutic drug.

Marine omega‐3 fatty acid intake and survival of stage III colon cancer according to tumor molecular markers in NCCTG Phase III trial N0147 (Alliance)

“…The current study extends these findings and suggests that, in patients with established MSI tumors, high intake of MO3PUFA after diagnosis may also be beneficial and contributes to improved survival. Several clinical trials have indicated that MO3PUFA supplementation reduces circulating and colonic mucosal levels of pro‐inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandin E 2 and chemokine C‐C motif ligand 2, improves immune response, and delay tumor progression . These findings support our results and may have important clinical implications.…”

The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid inhibits proliferation and progression of non-small cell lung cancer cells through the reactive oxygen species-mediated inactivation of the PI3K /Akt pathway

“…In addition, fish oil supplementation enhances the effects of chemotherapy in colorectal cancer [32, 33]. The main component of fish oil consists of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as DHA and EPA.…”

ω3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids as Immunomodulators in Colorectal Cancer: New Potential Role in Adjuvant Therapies

“…In this respect, some clinical trials demonstrated that EPA and DHA supplementation during chemotherapeutic treatments improved CRP values, CRP/albumin status, and positively modulated the nutritional status of CRC patients (77, 78). Likewise, evaluation of clinical outcomes during and after chemotherapy in CRC patients supplemented with fish oil containing EPA and DHA during the first 9 weeks of treatment unraveled that the time to tumor progression was significantly longer in the supplemented with respect to the control group (79). Interestingly, a recent phase II double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled trial of EPA administration to advanced CRC patients undergoing liver resection surgery demonstrated that EPA is incorporated into secondary CRC tissue and has systemic anti-inflammatory activity.…”