Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids balance in inflammatory response in patients with cancer and cachexia
Keywords:
fatty acids, cachexia, malnutrition, inflammation, neoplasmsAbstract
Emaciation and loss of lean body mass is a frequent phenomenon observed in cancer patients. This condition
leads to infection risk and a poor response to treatment, thus reducing the chances of cure. Furthermore, malnutrition is also associated with a poor quality of life. Therefore, therapies have been proposed in attempt
to revert the catabolism observed in most of these patients by attenuating the inflammatory response. Among
them, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may be a strategy to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory
cytokines and improve metabolic substrate tolerance, decreasing protein catabolism in order to ameliorate the
prognosis of cure in cancer patients. However, studies demonstrate some conflicting results of ômega-3
supplementation on immune response. On the other hand, clinical trials in cancer patients demonstrate that
the inflammatory response decreases and the nutritional status improves. The aim of this paper is to elaborate
a strict review of the subject.
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