Potential applications of fish oils rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of gastrointestinal cancer. Issue 1 (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eltweri, A.M.; Thomas, A.L.; Metcalfe, M.; Calder, P.C.; Dennison, A.R.; Bowrey, D.J.
• Is Part Of: Clinical nutrition. Volume 36:Issue 1(2017:Feb.)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Cancer -- Docosahexaenoic acid -- Eicosapentaenoic acid -- Fish oil -- Gastrointestinal -- Inflammation; Critically ill -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; Parenteral feeding -- Periodicals; Enteral feeding -- Periodicals; Enteral Nutrition -- Periodicals; Parenteral Nutrition -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Periodicals; Diétothérapie -- Périodiques; Alimentation parentérale -- Périodiques; Alimentation entérale -- Périodiques; Nutrition -- Périodiques; Diet therapy; Enteral feeding; Nutrition; Parenteral feeding; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.854
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2016.01.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-5614

Abstract

Summary: Background & aims: Despite advances in chemotherapeutic agents and surgical approaches for its management, gastrointestinal cancer still accounts for 27% of new cancer cases and 35% of cancer related mortality worldwide. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities and are used as immuno-nutrients. Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify primary research reporting on applications of the omega-3 PUFAs in gastrointestinal cancer. Results: Reported laboratory studies indicate a clear role for omega-3 PUFAs in preventing cancer development at various stages including cancer cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, inflammation and metastasis. In clinical settings, omega-3 PUFAs have been reported to improve the immune response, maintain lean body mass, improve quality of life and improve overall survival in patients with colorectal and pancreatic cancer. In contrast to other GI cancers, there is a strong connection between inflammation and oesophageal cancer. Conclusions: Little work has been done exploring the role for omega-3 PUFAs in oesophageal cancer prevention and management. The authors are conducting a clinical trial investigating the use of parenteral omega-3 PUFAs supplementary to the standard of care (epirubicin, oxaliplatin and capecitabine palliative chemotherapy) in patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer as a promising new therapeutic approach.