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Research: GLEISSMAN and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 209
Abstract
GLEISSMAN and COLLEAGUES, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. helena.gleissman@ki.se investigated the effects of DHA supplementation on neuroblastoma tumour growth in vivo using two complementary approaches
Background
Epidemiological and preclinical studies have revealed that omega-3 fatty acids have anticancer properties. It has previously been shown that the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) induces apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells in vitro by mechanisms involving intracellular peroxidation of DHA by means of 15-lipoxygenase or autoxidation.
Methodology
In this study, the effects of DHA supplementation on neuroblastoma tumour growth in vivo were investigated using two complementary approaches. For the purpose of prevention, DHA as a dietary supplement was fed to athymic rats before the rats were xenografted with human neuroblastoma cells. For therapeutic purposes, athymic rats with established neuroblastoma xenografts were given DHA daily by gavage and tumour growth was monitored. DHA levels in plasma and tumour tissue were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography.
Results
DHA delayed neuroblastoma xenograft development and inhibited the growth of established neuroblastoma xenografts in athymic rats. A revised version of the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program evaluation scheme used as a measurement of treatment response showed that untreated control animals developed progressive disease, whereas treatment with DHA resulted in stable disease or partial response, depending on the DHA concentration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, prophylactic treatment with DHA delayed neuroblastoma development, suggesting that DHA could be a potential agent in the treatment of minimal residual disease and should be considered for prevention in selected cases. Treatment results on established aggressive neuroblastoma tumours suggest further studies aiming at a clinical application in children with high-risk neuroblastoma.
References
Gleissman H, Segerstrom L, Hamberg M, Ponthan F, Lindskog M, Johnsen JI and Kogner P. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation delays the progression of neuroblastoma in vivo. Source International Journal of Cancer. 128(7): 1703-11. Apr 1 2011.
Comment
The above study charts the application of DHA – an omega-3 fatty acid to the treatment, in an animal model, of neuroblastoma tumour growth. In this study the treatment inhibited tumour growth and may be applied to clinical treatment in children with high-risk neuroblastoma.
