Researchers from the University Hospitals of Leicester in the United Kingdom have discovered a possible correlation between enhanced quality of life for cancer patients and anti-tumor medications supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids.
According to a study featured in the latest Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (JPEN), patients with pancreatic cancer who were given 1,000 milligrams of gemcitabine weekly for six weeks followed by up to 100 grams of omega-3 rich lipid emulsion for three weeks (with a rest week to follow) reported improved treatment responses in a number of categories.
There was evidence of activity in response and disease stabilization rates, reduction in liver metastasis volume and improved quality of life scores in the group of patients who received the omega-3 lipid emulsion therapy, the researchers said.
The study is among the first to pair omega-3 fatty acids – often found in abundance in seafood sources – with a chemotherapy agent in a cancer setting. Researchers hope that the results of the current study will be used to inform and warrant a randomized phase III trial in the future.
