Thursday Sept 26, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A review published in Pediatric Cancer suggests that taking omega 3 fatty acids may help treat neuroblastoma which after intensive combinational treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, rdaiotherapy and stem cell rescue can render a long term survival in only 50% of patients at high risk.

Helena Gleissman, the author, says inflammation drives the growth of the cancer and targeted therapies that dampens inflammatory response can help treat neuroblastoma and other cancers.  It has been known that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS inhibit the COX-2 enzyme catalyzed synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins from the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid in neuroblastoma cells in preclinical models.

Gleissman also reports omega-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are able to neutralize the proliferative effects of omega-6 fatty acids and have been unlisted for cancer treatment and prevention. 

Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA are precursors of anti-inflammatory compounds such as resolvins and protectins which are essential for the clearance of inflammatory cells and mediate the repairing of injured cells, according to the review.

DHA, the most commonly seen omega 3 fatty acid, is known to delay tumor development in vivo and reduce tumor growth in neuroblastoma xenograft models.  Also in vitro, DHA induces mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis of neuroblastoma.  Cancer cells do not experience apoptosis or programmed cell deaths and cancer mass keeps growing.

Additionally, the author says that DHA acts in synergy with chemotherapy to help treat cancer.

Gleissman concludes that "omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA are possible new agents for neuroblastoma prevention and treatment, and suggests that these compounds be tested in clinical trials as adjuvant therapy to chemotherapeutic drugs in children with neuroblastoma."

In an early report, an old man with cancers in both lungs took 10 grams and months later 15 grams of DHA for a few months and as a result, the deadly cancer disappeared.  The patient also took other nutritional supplements.  But DHA is the major nutraceutical he took.

Many studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent and treat cancer in addition to its protective effects against chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

Remember that DHA can also come from green algae.  Oily fish is not the only source for omega-3 fatty acids.  Walnuts and flaxseed are two plant foods which also provide omega-3 fatty acids although omega 3 fatty acids from plants are not exactly the same as those from animals. (DL)