Re: Omega-3 Flounders as Cancer Protection

[Guest guest]

Hi Tony:

Do you think it makes sense to lump ALA in with EPA and DHA? The

linked article does not distinguish between them.

ALA has been shown to *increase* the incidence of prostate cancer -

posted here, Giovannucci et al - so I am not at all surprised they

found it didn't decrease it. In fact I do not remember anyone here

making the case that EPA and DHA were good for cancer prevention.

Has my mind just gone blank about this?

Rodney.

>

> The following article summarizes the conflicting results from many

> studies. It more or less validates the opinion that the results of

> most research are WRONG.

>

> I think our only hope of having reliable scientific data is to look

at

> multiple, long-term studies which converge on specific results.

> Basically, we have to make our choices now based on what we consider

> to be the best evidence, and pay the consequences if we are wrong.

>

> Tony

>

> ==

> http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/BreastCancer/tb/2545

>

> Jan. 24 - Eating fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids

> doesn't have the wondrous effect on preventing malignancies that it

> seems to have in warding off heart disease.

>

> As a cancer preventive strategy, omega-3 was left high and dry,

> reported H. MacLean, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at Rand

> Health in the Jan. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical

> Association.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tony:

Do you think it makes sense to lump ALA in with EPA and DHA? The

linked article does not distinguish between them.

ALA has been shown to *increase* the incidence of prostate cancer -

posted here, Giovannucci et al - so I am not at all surprised they

found it didn't decrease it. In fact I do not remember anyone here

making the case that EPA and DHA were good for cancer prevention.

Has my mind just gone blank about this?

Rodney.

>

> The following article summarizes the conflicting results from many

> studies. It more or less validates the opinion that the results of

> most research are WRONG.

>

> I think our only hope of having reliable scientific data is to look

at

> multiple, long-term studies which converge on specific results.

> Basically, we have to make our choices now based on what we consider

> to be the best evidence, and pay the consequences if we are wrong.

>

> Tony

>

> ==

> http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/BreastCancer/tb/2545

>

> Jan. 24 - Eating fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids

> doesn't have the wondrous effect on preventing malignancies that it

> seems to have in warding off heart disease.

>

> As a cancer preventive strategy, omega-3 was left high and dry,

> reported H. MacLean, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at Rand

> Health in the Jan. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical

> Association.

>

[Guest guest]

FYI:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Search & db=books & doptcmdl=GenBookHL & term=%22omega-3%22+AND+and+cancer+AND+cmed6%5Bbook%5D+AND+351071%5Buid%5D & rid=cmed6.section.7068#7084

Current ResearchSpecific Foods, Nutrients, and Dietary Components Frequently Associated with Cancer Prevention

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, and Olive Oil

Diets rich in total fat have a high caloric density and contribute to excess energy intake and obesity. Thus, most healthy dietary patterns are lower in total fat than the current American pattern. However, the types of lipids may also have an impact upon cancer. Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that can influence cell biology through a number of mechanisms including modulation in the production of bioactive lipids such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Animal models suggest some benefits for cancers of the prostate and breast.

204,

205 Olive oil has generated interest because of its lack of association with cancers in studies where total lipids, saturated fats, and other measures of lipid intake demonstrate positive associations. Like other lipids, olive oil contributes to caloric intake and risk of obesity, but can be used in certain recipes to replace other types of lipid that may have a greater association with cancer and cardiovascular disease. Overall, very little definitive data is available regarding lipid sources and human cancer risk and specific recommendations are not possible at this time.

204

J Natl Cancer Inst. 1993 Nov 3;85(21):1743-7.

Effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on human breast cancer growth and metastases in nude mice.Rose DP, Connolly JM.Division of Nutrition and Endocrinology, American Health Foundation, Valhalla, NY 10595.BACKGROUND: Diets rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids stimulate the growth and metastases of transplantable mammary carcinomas in rodents, whereas fish oil-containing diets, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, suppress the growth of these mammary tumor cells. PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of a diet rich in menhaden fish oil on the growth and metastases of MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells in a mouse model system. METHODS: Ninety female athymic nude mice (Ncr-nu/nu) were fed a 23% (wt/wt) corn oil, omega-6 fatty acid-rich diet; after 7 days, 1 x 10(6) estrogen-independent MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells were injected into a thoracic mammary fat pad. The 23% corn oil diet was continued for a further 7 days, after which the mice were assigned randomly to one of three diets containing a total of 23% fat, but different proportions of corn oil and menhaden oil (diet Cm: 18% corn oil and 5% menhaden oil, diet CM: 11.5% corn oil and 11.5% menhaden oil, and diet cM: 5% corn oil and 18% menhaden oil). Animal body weights and the surface area of the mammary fat pad tumors were recorded weekly. The mice were killed after 12 weeks on the experimental diets. Primary tumor surface areas and body weights were compared by unpaired Student's t tests, the incidence of lung metastases by the chi-square test, and differences in the total volumes of lung metastases by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Tumor growth rates in the mice of the group fed diet Cm were significantly greater than for mice of either of the two groups fed diets containing higher levels of menhaden oil. Of the mice with primary tumors, the incidence of macroscopic lung metastases was greater in those fed diet Cm, compared with those fed diet cM (57.7% versus 22.2%; P < .01), but not significantly different from the mice fed diet CM. When metastases did occur, their extent was significantly greater in mice fed diet Cm, compared with those fed diet cM (P < .001). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a high-fat diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can suppress human breast cancer cell growth and metastases in this mouse model system. IMPLICATION: Dietary intervention trials to reduce recurrence risk in the postsurgical breast cancer patient should take account not only of the level of fat consumed, but also its fatty acid composition. PMID: 8411258

205

Prostate. 1991;18(3):243-54.

Effects of fatty acids and eicosanoid synthesis inhibitors on the growth of two human prostate cancer cell lines.Rose DP, Connolly JM.Division of Nutrition and Endocrinology, Naylor Dana Institute for Disease Prevention, Valhalla, New York 10595.Dietary fatty acids (FAs) may be involved in the carcinogenic process within the prostate gland and progression to clinically manifest disease. We have shown that growth of the androgen-unresponsive PC-3 human prostate cancer cell line is stimulated in vitro by the presence of linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 polyunsaturated FA. The response was positively related to the FA concentration over the entire range examined (5-750 ng/ml). Conversely, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), two omega-3 FAs present in fish oils, inhibited PC-3 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner; both were equally effective, with an approximately 65% reduction in growth occurring at a concentration of 2.0 micrograms/ml (P less than 0.001). The DU 145 human prostate cancer cell line, which is also androgen-unresponsive, showed no growth response to LA and was less susceptible to growth inhibition when cultured in the presence of omega-3 FAs. Growth experiments with indomethacin, esculetin, and piroxicam, pharmacological inhibitors of eicosanoid biosynthesis with differing sites of action, indicated that human prostate cancer cell growth requires intact metabolic pathways for both leukotriene and prostaglandin production. PMID: 2020620

Regards.

[ ] Omega-3 Flounders as Cancer Protection

The following article summarizes the conflicting results from manystudies. It more or less validates the opinion that the results ofmost research are WRONG.I think our only hope of having reliable scientific data is to look atmultiple, long-term studies which converge on specific results. Basically, we have to make our choices now based on what we considerto be the best evidence, and pay the consequences if we are wrong.Tony==http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/BreastCancer/tb/2545Jan. 24 - Eating fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acidsdoesn't have the wondrous effect on preventing malignancies that itseems to have in warding off heart disease.As a cancer preventive strategy, omega-3 was left high and dry,reported H. MacLean, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at RandHealth in the Jan. 25 issue of the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation.

[Guest guest]

FYI:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Search & db=books & doptcmdl=GenBookHL & term=%22omega-3%22+AND+and+cancer+AND+cmed6%5Bbook%5D+AND+351071%5Buid%5D & rid=cmed6.section.7068#7084

Current ResearchSpecific Foods, Nutrients, and Dietary Components Frequently Associated with Cancer Prevention

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, and Olive Oil

Diets rich in total fat have a high caloric density and contribute to excess energy intake and obesity. Thus, most healthy dietary patterns are lower in total fat than the current American pattern. However, the types of lipids may also have an impact upon cancer. Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that can influence cell biology through a number of mechanisms including modulation in the production of bioactive lipids such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Animal models suggest some benefits for cancers of the prostate and breast.

204,

205 Olive oil has generated interest because of its lack of association with cancers in studies where total lipids, saturated fats, and other measures of lipid intake demonstrate positive associations. Like other lipids, olive oil contributes to caloric intake and risk of obesity, but can be used in certain recipes to replace other types of lipid that may have a greater association with cancer and cardiovascular disease. Overall, very little definitive data is available regarding lipid sources and human cancer risk and specific recommendations are not possible at this time.

204

J Natl Cancer Inst. 1993 Nov 3;85(21):1743-7.

Effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on human breast cancer growth and metastases in nude mice.Rose DP, Connolly JM.Division of Nutrition and Endocrinology, American Health Foundation, Valhalla, NY 10595.BACKGROUND: Diets rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids stimulate the growth and metastases of transplantable mammary carcinomas in rodents, whereas fish oil-containing diets, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, suppress the growth of these mammary tumor cells. PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of a diet rich in menhaden fish oil on the growth and metastases of MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells in a mouse model system. METHODS: Ninety female athymic nude mice (Ncr-nu/nu) were fed a 23% (wt/wt) corn oil, omega-6 fatty acid-rich diet; after 7 days, 1 x 10(6) estrogen-independent MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells were injected into a thoracic mammary fat pad. The 23% corn oil diet was continued for a further 7 days, after which the mice were assigned randomly to one of three diets containing a total of 23% fat, but different proportions of corn oil and menhaden oil (diet Cm: 18% corn oil and 5% menhaden oil, diet CM: 11.5% corn oil and 11.5% menhaden oil, and diet cM: 5% corn oil and 18% menhaden oil). Animal body weights and the surface area of the mammary fat pad tumors were recorded weekly. The mice were killed after 12 weeks on the experimental diets. Primary tumor surface areas and body weights were compared by unpaired Student's t tests, the incidence of lung metastases by the chi-square test, and differences in the total volumes of lung metastases by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Tumor growth rates in the mice of the group fed diet Cm were significantly greater than for mice of either of the two groups fed diets containing higher levels of menhaden oil. Of the mice with primary tumors, the incidence of macroscopic lung metastases was greater in those fed diet Cm, compared with those fed diet cM (57.7% versus 22.2%; P < .01), but not significantly different from the mice fed diet CM. When metastases did occur, their extent was significantly greater in mice fed diet Cm, compared with those fed diet cM (P < .001). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a high-fat diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can suppress human breast cancer cell growth and metastases in this mouse model system. IMPLICATION: Dietary intervention trials to reduce recurrence risk in the postsurgical breast cancer patient should take account not only of the level of fat consumed, but also its fatty acid composition. PMID: 8411258

205

Prostate. 1991;18(3):243-54.

Effects of fatty acids and eicosanoid synthesis inhibitors on the growth of two human prostate cancer cell lines.Rose DP, Connolly JM.Division of Nutrition and Endocrinology, Naylor Dana Institute for Disease Prevention, Valhalla, New York 10595.Dietary fatty acids (FAs) may be involved in the carcinogenic process within the prostate gland and progression to clinically manifest disease. We have shown that growth of the androgen-unresponsive PC-3 human prostate cancer cell line is stimulated in vitro by the presence of linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 polyunsaturated FA. The response was positively related to the FA concentration over the entire range examined (5-750 ng/ml). Conversely, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), two omega-3 FAs present in fish oils, inhibited PC-3 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner; both were equally effective, with an approximately 65% reduction in growth occurring at a concentration of 2.0 micrograms/ml (P less than 0.001). The DU 145 human prostate cancer cell line, which is also androgen-unresponsive, showed no growth response to LA and was less susceptible to growth inhibition when cultured in the presence of omega-3 FAs. Growth experiments with indomethacin, esculetin, and piroxicam, pharmacological inhibitors of eicosanoid biosynthesis with differing sites of action, indicated that human prostate cancer cell growth requires intact metabolic pathways for both leukotriene and prostaglandin production. PMID: 2020620

Regards.

[ ] Omega-3 Flounders as Cancer Protection

The following article summarizes the conflicting results from manystudies. It more or less validates the opinion that the results ofmost research are WRONG.I think our only hope of having reliable scientific data is to look atmultiple, long-term studies which converge on specific results. Basically, we have to make our choices now based on what we considerto be the best evidence, and pay the consequences if we are wrong.Tony==http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/BreastCancer/tb/2545Jan. 24 - Eating fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acidsdoesn't have the wondrous effect on preventing malignancies that itseems to have in warding off heart disease.As a cancer preventive strategy, omega-3 was left high and dry,reported H. MacLean, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at RandHealth in the Jan. 25 issue of the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation.