Study: Fish oil improves the effect of chemotherapy for lung cancer patients

Reference

Murphy ra, Mourtzakis M, Chu Qs, Baracos Ve, ReiMan T, Mazurak VC. The addition with fish oil increases the effectiveness of first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. cancer. February 15, 2011. DOI: 10.1002/CNCR.25933. (Epub before printing.)

Design

46 patients with the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) completed the study. All patients received a Standard first line chemotherapy (carboplatin with either vinerelfin or gemcitabine). The standard of-care arm (SOC) (n = 31) only received the chemotherapy agents; In addition to chemotherapy, the fish oil group (FO) (n = 15) took 2.5 grams of EPA/DHA per day. The duration of studies was one year.

target parameter

The assessment was carried out by imaging and clinical examination. The measurement variables included the response rate (complete response + partial response) and the clinical benefits (complete address + partial response + stable disease divided by the number of patients).

most important knowledge

Overall, the positive return rate in the FO group was more than twice as high as in the SoC group (60 % compared to 25.8 %). p = 0.008). The clinical benefits in the FO group were also higher than in the SoC group (80 % vs. 41.8 %, p = 0.2). There was also a trend in the FO group at an improved survival time after one year (60 % vs. 38.7 %). p = 0.15). Finally, the dose -limiting toxicities between the two groups did not differ ( p = 0.46).

clinical implications

Previous studies in vitro and in vivo have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can increase the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. ^{1.2 While such preliminary evidence of chemotherapy indicates, there are so far only a few data from clinical studies that could be under walls. The current summary underpins the evidence that indicates that EPA/DHA can sensitize cancer cells to the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy drugs. It is also the first time that this effect has been demonstrated especially for NSCLC patients.}

While a platinum -based chemotherapy and either gemcitabine or navelbin were used in this study, the effect may not depend on the specific chemotherapy agents. There was a phase II study with patients with metastatic breast cancer who received an anthracycline-based chemotherapy and 1.8 grams of DHA a day from an algae source. The dosage started 7-10 days before chemotherapy began and continued throughout the duration. In addition to the overall survival, this study examined the DHA installation in phospholipids and found that the installation from person to person fluctuated sharply. Only those who were considered "high founders" record an increase in overall survival. ^{3 A hypothesis, such as omega-3 fatty acids can increase cytotoxic ingredients, is to increase the oxidative potential of the phospholipid double layer. An increased overall survival rate only for women who "strongly revenue" supports this hypothesis.}

This underlines the arguments for the inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids in all patients with NSCLC who undergo chemotherapy.

Earlier studies in rodents indicate that DHA could convert chemical-resistant breast tumors into chemosensitive and radiation-sensitive tumors. ^{4 Chemosensitis was lifted while at the simultaneous administration of alpha tocopherol, which in turn supports the role of lipid peroxidation as an effectiveness mechanism. Other proposed mechanisms of chemosensitization include the influence of signal proteins such as RAS, ACT and Her2Neu, the change in expression or function of apoptotic proteins, the influence of survival factors such as NF -Kappab or the increase in pharmaceutical recording or activation.}

It should be noted that the use of fish oil as a nutritional supplement in integrative cancer treatment is best not for chemo-sensitization, but as an anti-fachectic remedy. ^{6 Especially with regard to lung cancer, a study showed that patients with sarcopeny (muscle loss) after 2.5 months of chemotherapy significantly fewer plasma-epa, DHA and overall fat. showed. 7 Another study of patients with lung cancer who were administered in the form of nutritional supplements showed an improved appetite, less fatigue and a reduction in the C-reactive protein. 8 In a separate publication, the authors of the current summary showed that during the treatment 2.2 grams of EPA // DHA, better preserved than those who only received the standard treatment. 9 During the preservation of muscle mass, it is reason enough to recommend a nutritional supplement with EPA/DHA for NSCLC patients, the current study indicates that the response and overall life could also benefit. This certainly speaks for the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids in all patients with NSCLC who undergo chemotherapy.}

Study restrictions

This is a small study with only 46 participants. Nevertheless, it achieved statistical significance. No placebo was used in the group that did not take fish oil. Placebo control would significantly increase the results because it is possible that patients who are healthy enough to swallow additional pills is expected to have a longer survival.

For further research on integrative oncology, click here here.