The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Inflammatory Factors in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 37897076 · doi:10.1080/01635581.2023.2274135
What was done
The authors conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) searched across PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science up to July 2022. They evaluated the dose-dependent effects of oral, enteral, and parenteral omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, CRP) and albumin in cancer patients.
What was found
Across 33 trials with 2,068 participants: - Each 1 g/day increase in oral/enteral omega-3 supplementation significantly reduced IL-6 (SMD: -1.17 pg/ml; 95% CI: -1.78, -0.55; p < 0.001; GRADE = moderate) and TNF-α (SMD: -2.15 pg/ml; 95% CI: -3.14, -1.16; p < 0.001; GRADE = very low). - Each 0.5 g/kg/day increase in parenteral omega-3 supplementation significantly reduced TNF-α (SMD: -1.11 pg/ml; 95% CI: -2.02, -0.19; p = 0.017; GRADE = low). - Findings for CRP and albumin were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study provides dose-response evidence that omega-3 supplementation lowers key pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in cancer patients, supporting its potential role in managing cancer-associated inflammation.
Limits
Evidence certainty was rated low to very low for TNF-α reductions. The abstract omits results for CRP and albumin, does not report clinical outcomes (such as cachexia, treatment tolerance, or survival), and does not differentiate effects by cancer type, stage, or specific EPA/DHA ratios.
Cited by
- contradicts Anti-inflammatory benefits from omega-3 fish oil supplementation begin at a dosage of approximately 3 grams per day.