Omega-3 fatty acids as adjuvant therapy in the adverse effects of antineoplastic treatment for breast cancer: a systematic review

PurposeMetabolic changes in cancer, coupled with treatment, can have deleterious effects and impair recovery. However, studies have shown promising results with the supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 in chemotherapy patients. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature was conducted to explore the potential benefits of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in reducing the side effects of breast cancer treatment in women.MethodsA search was performed for randomized clinical trials in PubMed, Lilacs, Scopus, SciELO, Web of Science, Clinical Trials, and Google Scholar. The paper was developed following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the number (CRD42023403833).ResultsOut of 1215 publications, five studies were selected to evaluate 463 women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer who were supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids in varying doses for up to six months. The studies assessed various outcomes, including quality of life, lipid profile, and inflammatory biomarkers. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation was found to be beneficial in reducing symptoms that impact the quality of life, such as peripheral neuropathy and xerostomia. However, no significant differences were observed in other toxicities caused by chemotherapy.ConclusionSupplementation with EPA and DHA has shown promising benefits for women undergoing breast cancer treatment with chemotherapy. However, further research is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of using omega-3 in conjunction with other therapies and to more accurately assess the impact on patients' quality of life.