Klin Onkol 2016; 29(2): 100-106. DOI: 10.14735/amko2016100.
Omega-3 fatty acids from fi sh oil have several health benefi ts for cancer patients. Recent fi ndings indicate that, besides their well-known anti-cachectic eff ect, they can act synergisti cally with chemotherapeutic agents and may enhance tumor radio-sensitivity. The mechanisms underlying their anti-tumor eff ects are complex. The following eff ects have been reported after administration of omega-3 fatty acids: increased lipid peroxidation during therapy; disturbed tumor receptor signal pathways; lower levels level of pro-infl ammatory cytokines that induce tumor cell proliferation; promotion of apoptosis in tumor tissues; immune modulation; and changes in hormonal metabolism. Epidemiological and experimental evidence support the conjecture that fi sh oil has an anticancer benefi t for both animals and humans. However, Western countries have a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which interfere with the health benefi ts of omega-3 fatty acids because they compete for the same rate-limiting enzymes. For this reason, the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids in Western diet needs to be lowered to observe the anti-tumor eff ect of omega-3 fatty acids. Some epidemiological studies report confl icting results, which may be explained by inconsistencies in the methodologies employed.
