Abstract
While the anticancer effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 fatty acids), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been the subject of intense study, our understanding regarding the underlying mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acids against cancer is still limited. Recent studies describing the cancer protective effect of EPA and DHA have sparked a renewed interest in using these fatty acids for cancer prevention and treatment. Here, we summarize the significance of omega- 3 fatty acids in the initiation and progression of cancer, and review the complex mechanisms by which EPA and DHA are thought to have anticancer activities during cancer development. It is concluded that omega-3 fatty acids may exert their anticancer actions by influencing multiple targets implicated in various stages of cancer development, including cell proliferation, cell survival, angiogenesis, inflammation, metastasis and epigenetic abnormalities that are crucial to the onset and progression of cancer.
Keywords: Apoptosis, autophagy, cancer development, cancer prevention, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, epigenetic regulation, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cancer
Volume: 13 Issue: 8
Author(s): Kaipeng Jing, Tong Wu and Kyu Lim
Affiliation:
Keywords: Apoptosis, autophagy, cancer development, cancer prevention, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, epigenetic regulation, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid.
Abstract: While the anticancer effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 fatty acids), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been the subject of intense study, our understanding regarding the underlying mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acids against cancer is still limited. Recent studies describing the cancer protective effect of EPA and DHA have sparked a renewed interest in using these fatty acids for cancer prevention and treatment. Here, we summarize the significance of omega- 3 fatty acids in the initiation and progression of cancer, and review the complex mechanisms by which EPA and DHA are thought to have anticancer activities during cancer development. It is concluded that omega-3 fatty acids may exert their anticancer actions by influencing multiple targets implicated in various stages of cancer development, including cell proliferation, cell survival, angiogenesis, inflammation, metastasis and epigenetic abnormalities that are crucial to the onset and progression of cancer.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Jing Kaipeng, Wu Tong and Lim Kyu, Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cancer, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 13 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113139990319
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113139990319 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Defensive and Offensive Cross-Reactive Antibodies Elicited by Pathogens: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Current Medicinal Chemistry UCLA’s Molecular Screening Shared Resource: Enhancing Small Molecule Discovery with Functional Genomics and New Technology
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Long Term Treatment with Tetradecylthioacetic Acid Improves the Antioxidant Status in Obese Zucker (fa/fa) Rats
Drug Metabolism Letters Recent advances in the management of autoimmune myocarditis: insights from animal studies.
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial [Hot Topic: Stem Cells (Guest Editor: Anand Srivastava)]
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Effects of Metformin-Single Therapy on the Level of Inflammatory Markers in Serum of Non-Obese T2DM Patients with NAFLD
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Prostacyclin Synthase Gene: Genetic Polymorphisms and Prevention of Some Cardiovascular Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors: Instrumental Drugs to Understand Cardiovascular Homeostasis and Arterial Thrombosis
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Soluble Amyloid-β Levels and Late-Life Depression
Current Pharmaceutical Design Multi-target Activities of Selected Alkaloids and Terpenoids
Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry Chitinases: Biomarkers for Human Diseases
Protein & Peptide Letters Mending a Broken Heart: Bioengineered Patches and Scaffolds for Cardiac Repair
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Is Time to Change to Halogenated Drugs in Cardiac Surgery, What do we have to do with Propofol?
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Potential Role of Antioxidants in Metabolic Syndrome
Current Pharmaceutical Design C-Reactive Protein: Interaction with the Vascular Endothelium and Possible Role in Human Atherosclerosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Biological Active Peptides from Marine Sources Related to Gut Hormones
Current Protein & Peptide Science TP Receptor as a Therapeutic Target in Atherosclerosis and Related Cardiovascular Diseases
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Value of Abnormal Fetal Cardiac Axis in the Fetal Congenital Heart Disease
Current Medical Imaging Changes in Serum Markers of Inflammation and Endothelial Activation in HIV-Infected Antiretroviral Naive Patients Starting A Treatment with Abacavir-Lamivudine or Tenofovir-Emtricitabine Plus Efavirenz
Current HIV Research Calcium Homeostasis and Kinetics in Heart Failure
Medicinal Chemistry