More on Omega-3 Fatty Acids

[Paul Edwards]

Washington State University researchers have found a mechanism by which omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells.

 

Working with prostate cell cultures, the researchers found the fatty acids bind to a receptor called FFA4, for “free fatty acid receptor 4.”  Rather than stimulating cancer cells, the receptor acted as a signal to inhibit growth factors, suppressing proliferation of the cancer cells.  The study also found that a drug mimicking the action of omega 3s could work as well or better than fatty acids in suppressing the cancer cells.

 

Professor Meier, the lead researcher said: “This kind of knowledge could lead us to better treat or prevent cancer because now we know how it works.”

 

Meier said it is still unclear if the effect can be obtained by taking dietary supplements like fish oil:

 

 “It’s very difficult in dietary studies to tell how much to take or what form to take.  Should you be eating fish?  Should you be taking pills?  But now we have a potential drug. Once you have a drug you can test very precisely whether it works or not in a certain disease and you would know exactly how much to give people.”

 

Journal Reference:

Z. Liu, M. M. Hopkins, Z. Zhang, C. B. Quisenberry, L. C. Fix, B. M. Galvan, K. E. Meier. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Other FFA4 Agonists Inhibit Growth Factor Signaling in Human Prostate Cancer Cells. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2014; 352 (2): 380 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.218974