Fish Oil Supplementation Increases First-line Chemotherapy Efficacy in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Reference: “Supplementation with fish oil increases first-line chemotherapy efficacy in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer,” Murphy RA, Mourtzakis M, et al, Cancer, 2011 Feb 15; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address:
Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). 

Summary: In a study involving 46 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), supplementation with fish oil (2.5 g/d EPA + DHA), in addition to standard chemotherapy (carboplatin with vinorelbine or gemcitabine), was found to be associated with an increased response rate and greater clinical benefit, as compared to subjects who received chemotherapy alone (60.0% vs.
25.8% and 80.0% vs. 41.9%). Moreover, subjects who received fish oil were found to have a significantly greater one-year survival rate (60.0% vs.
38.7%).

The authors conclude, “Compared with SOC, supplementation with FO results in increased chemotherapy efficacy without affecting the toxicity profile and may contribute to increased survival.”