Omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) are
essential fats that must be obtained from the diet. The typical western diet is heavily
weighted towards n-6 FAs with little n-3 intake. Recently, numerous studies have
suggested that arachidonic acid (AA), an n-6 FA, and its metabolites have a significant
role in tumor promotion. Inversely, n-3 fatty acids have consistently been shown to
slow the growth and increase the chemo-sensitivity of various malignancies in vitro and
in vivo. Clinical studies utilizing n-3 as adjuvants to therapy have shown much promise.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and
their application to cancer. In this chapter we will be focusing on 1) the metabolism of
n-3 and n-6 FA, 2) the mechanisms of action and implications in cancer and 3) the
application of n-3 as promising therapies for the treatment of cancer.
Keywords: Polyunsaturated fatty acids, nutrition and cancer, fatty acids, omega-3
fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, eicosapetaenoic acid (EPA), alpha-linolenic acid
(ALA), linoleic acid (LA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA),
COX, LOX, prostaglandines, tromboxanes.
