Omega-3 fatty acids for breast cancer prevention and survivorship.
Women with evidence of high intake ratios of the marine omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) relative to the omega-6 arachidonic acid have been found to have a reduced risk of breast cancer compared with those with low ratios in some but not all case-control and cohort studies. If increasing EPA and DHA relative to arachidonic acid is effective in reducing breast cancer risk, likely mechanisms include reduction in proinflammatory lipid derivatives, inhibition of nuclear factor-κB-induced cytokine production, and decreased growth factor receptor signaling as a result of alteration in membrane lipid rafts. Primary prevention trials with either risk biomarkers or cancer incidence as endpoints are underway but final results of these trials are currently unavailable. EPA and DHA supplementation is also being explored in an effort to help prevent or alleviate common problems after a breast cancer diagnosis, including cardiac and cognitive dysfunction and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The insulin-sensitizing and anabolic properties of EPA and DHA also suggest supplementation studies to determine whether these omega-3 fatty acids might reduce chemotherapy-associated loss of muscle mass and weight gain. We will briefly review relevant omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, and early investigations in breast cancer prevention and survivorship.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA. cfabian@kumc.edu.
Carol J
CJ
Fabian
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA. bkimler@kumc.edu.
Bruce F
BF
Kimler
Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. hursting@email.unc.edu.
Stephen D
SD
Hursting
D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012306:Risk; D017741:Survivors
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid