Journal of Lipids (Jan 2013)

The Multifaceted Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on the Hallmarks of Cancer

  • J. A. Stephenson,
  • O. Al-Taan,
  • A. Arshad,
  • B. Morgan,
  • M. S. Metcalfe,
  • A. R. Dennison

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/261247
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2013

Abstract

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Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid have been shown to have multiple beneficial antitumour actions that affect the essential alterations that dictate malignant growth. In this review we explore the putative mechanisms of action of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in cancer protection in relation to self-sufficiency in growth signals, insensitivity to growth-inhibitory signals, apoptosis, limitless replicative potential, sustained angiogenesis, and tissue invasion, and how these will hopefully translate from bench to bedside.