The Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Breast Cancer as a Preventive Measure or as an Adjunct to Conventional Treatments

Author(s):Show less -

Theinel, Matheus H. ; Nucci, Mariana P. ; Alves, Arielly H. ; Dias, Olivia F. M. ; Mamani, Javier B. ; Garrigos, Murilo M. ; Oliveira, Fernando A. ; Rego, Gabriel N. A. ; Valle, Nicole M. E. ; Cianciarullo, Gabriela ; Gamarra, Lionel F.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NUTRIENTS; v. 15, n. 6, p. 34-pg., 2023-03-01.

Abstract

In order to understand how omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3 PUFA) supplements affect breast cancer prevention and treatment, a systematic review of articles published in the last 5 years in two databases was performed. Of the 679 articles identified, only 27 were included and examined based on five topics, taking into account: the induction type of the breast cancer used in animal models; the characteristics of the induction model by cell transplantation; the experimental design of the omega-3 supplementation-combined or not with a treatment antitumor drug; the fatty acids (FAs) composition used; the analysis of the studies' outcomes. There are diverse and well-established animal models of breast cancer in the literature, with very relevant histological and molecular similarities depending on the specific objective of the study, such as whether the method of tumor induction was transgenic, by cell transplantation, or by oncogenic drugs. The analyses of outcomes were mainly focused on monitoring tumor growth, body/tumor weight, and molecular, genetic, or histological analyses, and few studies evaluated latency, survival, or metastases. The best results occurred when supplementation with omega-3 PUFA was associated with antitumor drugs, especially in the analysis of metastases and volume/weight of tumors or when the supplementation was started early and maintained for a long time. However, the beneficial effect of omega-3 PUFA supplementation when not associated with an antitumor agent remains unclear. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/21470-3 - Therapeutic action of mesenchymal stem cells from human bone marrow labeled with multimodal nanoparticles in diabetic rats subjected to stroke: study of cellular, molecular and functional mechanisms.
• Grantee: Lionel Fernel Gamarra Contreras
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/17868-4 - Therapeutic action of mesenchymal stem cells of the human bone marrow, marked with multimodal nanoparticles, in diabetic rats submitted to focal cerebral ischemia: study of cellular, molecular and functional mechanisms
• Grantee: Yolanda Oliveira Pinto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 19/21070-3 - Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of physical activity-associated nanoparticle-labeled stem cells in the focal ischemia model
• Grantee: João Victor Matias Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation