n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids throughout the cancer trajectory: influence on disease incidence, progression, response to therapy and cancer-associated cachexia

Abstract

Evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that diets rich inn-3 PUFA may be associated with reduced cancer risk. These observations have formed the rationale for exploring the mechanisms by whichn-3 PUFA may be chemoprotective and have resulted in significant advances in our mechanistic understanding ofn-3 PUFA action on tumour growth. Various interrelated and integrated mechanisms may be at work by whichn-3 PUFA influence cancer at all stages of initiation, promotion, progression, and neoplastic transformation. More recently, experimental studies have reported enhanced tumour cell death with chemotherapy when fish oil is provided while toxic side effects to the host are reduced. Furthermore, cancer-associated wasting has been shown to be attenuated by fish oil supplementation. Clinical evidence suggests that then-3 PUFA status of newly diagnosed cancer patients and individuals undergoing chemotherapy is low. Therefore, both the disease itself and therapeutic treatments may be contributing factors in the decline ofn-3 PUFA status. Dietary supplementation to maintain and replenishn-3 PUFA status at key points in the cancer disease trajectory may provide additional health benefits and an enhanced quality of life. The present review will focus on and critically examine current research efforts related to the putative anti-cancer effects ofn-3 PUFA and their suggested ability to palliate cancer-associated and treatment-associated symptoms.

Docosahexaenoic Acid Monoglyceride Increases Carboplatin Activity in Lung Cancer Models by Targeting EGFR

“…In in vivo A549 xenograft models, combined MAG-DHA and CBT administration were able to cure 80% of animals following 37 days of treatment. Clinical studies have shown that omega-3 PUFAs increased tumor sensitivity to a variety of chemotherapeutic agents and protect non-target tissues (11,13) Moreover, a clinical trial has shown that supplementation with EPA+DHA (2.5 g/day) of NSCLC patients undergoing platinum chemotherapy resulted in a significant increase in therapy response rate and positive clinical outcomes (12). However, to date no clinical study demonstrated significant effect on tumor size reduction in patient receiving omega-3 supplements in combination with chemotherapeutic agent (10-13).…”

“…EPA and DHA have been shown to increase tumor sensitivity to irinotecan therapy and protect non-target tissues (11). Murphy et al have shown that the administration of an EPA+DHA supplement to NSCLC patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy caused a two-fold increase in therapy response rate and clinical benefit when compared with patients undergoing the same treatment without additional supplementation (12).…”

Evaluation of omega-3 fatty acids content and antioxidant activity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves

“…Evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that diets rich in n-3 PUFA may be associated with reduced cancer risk (BARACOS et al, 2004). Although the lipid content in plant tissues is not high, the presence of nutritional fatty acids, such n-3 fatty acids, provides increasing intake of these on the diet (MARTIN et al, 2006).…”

Combined approach to counteract experimental cancer cachexia: eicosapentenoic acid and training exercise

“…Among these are nutritional interventions, frequently including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) [2], antioxidants [3], branched-chain amino acids [4], agonists of the melanocortin receptor [5], ghrelin [6] and anti-myostatin agents [7]. The omega-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been shown to suppress the production of proinflammatory cytokines, of several molecules deriving from the arachidonic acid cascade, and of acute phase reactants such as C-reactive protein (reviewed in [8]; [9]).…”