The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Inflammatory Factors in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Nutr Cancer. 2024;76(1):1-16. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2023.2274135. Epub 2023 Dec 27.

Abstract

Until now, no study evaluated the impact of optimum intake of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory factors. We aimed to investigate the dose-dependent effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on inflammatory factors in cancer patients. PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science were searched until July 2022 to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for examining the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory factors. Our primary outcomes were interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and albumin. The results of 33 trials (2068 participants) revealed that each 1 g/day omega-3 fatty acids (oral/enteral) significantly reduced IL-6 (SMD: -1.17 pg/ml; 95% CI: -1.78, -0.55; p < 0.001; GRADE = moderate), and TNF-α (SMD: -2.15 pg/ml; 95% CI: -3.14, -1.16; p < 0.001; GRADE = very low). Moreover, each 0.5 g/kg/day omega-3 fatty acids (parenteral) significantly reduced TNF-α (SMD: -1.11 pg/ml; 95% CI: -2.02, -0.19; p = 0.017; GRADE = low). With moderate and very low evidence certainty, each 1 g/day of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation (oral/enteral) has a beneficial effect on IL-6 and TNF-α. Each 0.5 g/kg/day omega-3 fatty acids (parenteral) could also exert a favorable impact on TNF-α, but the certainty of the evidence was low.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3* / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Interleukin-6
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha