The Modulatory Effects of Fatty Acids on Cancer Progression
Annemarie J. F. Westheim,
Lara M. Stoffels,
Ludwig J. Dubois,
Jeroen van Bergenhenegouwen,
Ardy van Helvoort,
Ramon C. J. Langen,
Ronit Shiri-Sverdlov,
Jan Theys
Affiliations
Annemarie J. F. Westheim
The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
Lara M. Stoffels
The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
Ludwig J. Dubois
The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
Jeroen van Bergenhenegouwen
Advanced Health and Science Group, Danone Nutricia Research, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
Ardy van Helvoort
Advanced Health and Science Group, Danone Nutricia Research, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
Ramon C. J. Langen
Department of Respiratory Medicine, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
Ronit Shiri-Sverdlov
Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, NUTRIM-School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
Jan Theys
The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the global cancer burden rises rapidly. The risk factors for cancer development can often be attributed to lifestyle factors, of which an unhealthy diet is a major contributor. Dietary fat is an important macronutrient and therefore a crucial part of a well-balanced and healthy diet, but it is still unclear which specific fatty acids contribute to a healthy and well-balanced diet in the context of cancer risk and prognosis. In this review, we describe epidemiological evidence on the associations between the intake of different classes of fatty acids and the risk of developing cancer, and we provide preclinical evidence on how specific fatty acids can act on tumor cells, thereby modulating tumor progression and metastasis. Moreover, the pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of each of the different groups of fatty acids will be discussed specifically in the context of inflammation-induced cancer progression and we will highlight challenges as well as opportunities for successful application of fatty acid tailored nutritional interventions in the clinic.
