http://www.healthsentinel.com/news.php?event=news_print_list_item&id=909

"Fish oil hope for breast cancer", BBC News, June 9, 2005,
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4073972.stm

A combination of the fatty oils found in fish and a commonly used
anaesthetic may form the basis of effective new drugs to treat breast
cancer.

Researchers from Indiana University mixed compounds from omega-3 fatty
acids with the anaesthetic propofol.

Together they appeared to reduce the growth of breast cancer cells,
their ability to spread around the body and to form secondary tumours.

The research is published in the journal Breast Cancer Research.

The Indiana team studied the effect of two omega-3 fatty acids -
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Both have a minimal effect on cancer cells when applied alone.

But the researchers combined them with propofol, which was already
known to inhibit cancer cell migration in a limited way.

They found that both the propofol-DHA and propofol-EPA combinations had
a much more pronounced effect.

Not only did they block cell migration and the ability to adhere to
potential new tumour sites, they also triggered some cells to commit
suicide.

It is thought the fatty acids help to increase the absorption of
propofol by the cancer cells.

Lead researcher Professor Rafat Siddiqui said it might eventually be
possible to develop a patch or ointment containing the combination
drug.

He told the BBC News website: "We would like to synthesize these
compounds in larger quantities to use on animals in future studies so
that we can test their effectiveness as a potential anti-cancer drug.

Many benefits

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in oily fish such as tuna, salmon,
herring, sardines and mackerel, are already known to have many positive
health benefits.

They are commonly recommended for maintaining a healthy heart, as they
are known to reduce cholesterol levels.

Research suggests they may also protect against arthritis, lupus, and
asthma and help people with bipolar disorder.

Dr Sarah Rawlings, of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said:
"The potential of mixing these two compounds to enhance their
anti-cancer properties is interesting.

"However, this research was carried out in cells and we don't yet know
what the effect will be in women with breast cancer."

Ed Yong, of Cancer Research UK, echoed those comments, describing the
findings as "promising".