title: 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.
authors.affiliation: a Nutrition Graduate Program, Federal University of Santa Catarina , Florianópolis , Santa Catarina , Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina de Quadros
authors.initials: Cde Q
authors.lastname: Camargo
authors.affiliation: a Nutrition Graduate Program, Federal University of Santa Catarina , Florianópolis , Santa Catarina , Brazil.
authors.forename: Michel Carlos
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mocellin
authors.affiliation: b Sciences Department, Antônio Prudente Foundation , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana de Aguiar
authors.initials: Jde A
authors.lastname: Pastore Silva
authors.affiliation: c Oncology Research Center , Florianópolis , Santa Catarina , Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Emilia de Souza
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Fabre
authors.affiliation: a Nutrition Graduate Program, Federal University of Santa Catarina , Florianópolis , Santa Catarina , Brazil.
authors.forename: Everson Araújo
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: c Oncology Research Center , Florianópolis , Santa Catarina , Brazil.
authors.forename: Erasmo Benicio Santos de Moraes
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Trindade
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D005395:Fish Oils