A new study by researchers at the University Hospitals of Leicester, UK, has found that adding omega-3 fatty acids to anti-tumor medications may improve treatment response and quality of life for cancer patients.
The study examined 50 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. They were given 1,000mg of gemcitabine weekly, followed by up to 100g of omega-3 rich lipid emulsion for three weeks followed by a rest week. This was continued for up to six cycles until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, patient request, or death.
The study found evidence of activity in response and disease stabilisation rates, reduction in liver metastasis volume, and improved quality of life scores in this group of patients.
While this is the first study to use omega-3 fatty acids with a chemotherapy agent in a cancer setting, the researchers believe the results are encouraging enough to warrant further investigation in a randomised phase III trial.
The study was published in the OnlineFirst version of the
