The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7206 p47
13 July 2002

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Oslo 2002 Cancer Congress (www.oslo2002.org)

Fish oil supplement shows real promise in reducing cachexia

Clinical trials of a fish oil enriched nutritional supplement are being planned following encouraging results in studies of cancer-induced weight loss (cachexia).

A randomised trial reported last year showed that use of a high protein, high energy feed supplemented with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) produced weight gain in pancreatic cancer patients (PJ, 3 November 2001, p636).

At last week's UICC International Cancer Congress, in Oslo, Dr Conrad Lewanski, consultant clinical oncologist, Charing Cross Hospital, London, reported preliminary data on use of the supplement (ProSure) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. There was a 6.3 per cent mean weight gain in patients who were able to take two cartons a day. This was associated with an improvement in quality of life.

Researchers at the conference suggested that the supplement should now be tested in earlier disease, since patients with better nutritional status might respond better to cancer therapy. It would, they said, add a "trivial amount" to cancer treatment costs.

Cancer cachexia is associated with a metabolic response to the tumour. Unlike weight loss caused by mechanical or treatment related effects, eg, from tumour-associated obstruction or gastrointestinal side effects of therapy, cachexia cannot be reversed simply by increasing nutrient intake.

Eicosapentaenoic acid is thought to address the underlying cause of cachexia by reducing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and by blocking activity of tumour-derived substances that induce muscle breakdown.