title: The Role of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in the Control of Obesity and Metabolic Derangements in Breast Cancer.
abstract: Obesity represents a major under-recognized preventable risk factor for cancer development and recurrence, including breast cancer (BC). Healthy diet and correct lifestyle play crucial role for the treatment of obesity and for the prevention of BC. Obesity is significantly prevalent in western countries and it contributes to almost 50% of BC in older women. Mechanisms underlying obesity, such as inflammation and insulin resistance, are also involved in BC development. Fatty acids are among the most extensively studied dietary factors, whose changes appear to be closely related with BC risk. Alterations of specific ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly low basal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels, appear to be important in increasing cancer risk and its relapse, influencing its progression and prognosis and affecting the response to treatments. On the other hand, DHA supplementation increases the response to anticancer therapies and reduces the undesired side effects of anticancer therapies. Experimental and clinical evidence shows that higher fish consumption or intake of DHA reduces BC cell growth and its relapse risk. Controversy exists on the potential anticancer effects of marine ω-3 PUFAs and especially DHA, and larger clinical trials appear mandatory to clarify these aspects. The present review article is aimed at exploring the capacity of DHA in controlling obesity-related inflammation and in reducing insulin resistance in BC development, progression, and response to therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, viale dell'Università 37, 00185 Rome, Italy. alessio.molfino@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molfino
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, viale dell'Università 37, 00185 Rome, Italy. marida.amabile@gmail.com.|Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, viale Regina Margherita 324, 00161 Rome, Italy. marida.amabile@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Ida
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Amabile
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, viale Regina Margherita 324, 00161 Rome, Italy. massimo.monti@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, viale Regina Margherita 324, 00161 Rome, Italy. stefano.arcieri@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arcieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, viale dell'Università 37, 00185 Rome, Italy. filippo.rossifanelli@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossi Fanelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, viale dell'Università 37, 00185 Rome, Italy. maurizio.muscaritoli@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muscaritoli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids
keywords: breast cancer; diet; docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); food component; inflammation; obesity