Long-term effects of varying consumption of ω3 fatty acids in ear, nose and throat cancer patients: assessment 1 year after radiotherapy

Abstract

A prospective 1-year follow-up study in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) cancer patients was carried out one year after radiotherapy to assess the effect of varying consumption of ω3 fatty acid according to whether they consumed more or less than the 50th percentile of ω3 fatty acids. Clinical, analytical, inflammatory (CRP and IL-6), and oxidative variables (TAC, GPx, GST, and SOD) were evaluated. The study comprised 31 patients (87.1% men), with a mean age of 61.3 ± 9.1 years. Hematological variables showed significant differences in the patients with a lower consumption of ω3 fatty acids. A lower mortality and longer survival were found in the group with ω3 fatty acid consumption ≥50th percentile but the differences were not significant. No significant difference was reached in toxicity, inflammation, and oxidative stress markers. The group with ω3 fatty acid consumption <50th percentile significantly experienced more hematological and immune changes.

• Cancer
• clinical study
• metabolic status
• nutritional supplement
• survival

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Oncology service and the Oncology nursing staff of the Virgen de la Victoria Hospital, Malaga. The authors also thank Ian Johnstone for English language editing of the text.

Declaration of interest

The authors report that they have no conflict of interest in this paper. M. Mar Roca-Rodríguez is supported by a fellowship from the Rio Hortega CM11/00030 Program from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.