omega-3 fatty acids (UT Health San Antonio)

Omega-3 fatty acids, primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) derived from marine sources. In the context of research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, these fatty acids are being investigated in Phase 0 clinical trials for their chemopreventive potential in breast cancer, particularly among obese post-menopausal survivors. The mechanism of action involves the competitive inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes, which reduces the conversion of arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory eicosanoids such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). By modulating these inflammatory pathways and altering the eicosanoid profile, omega-3 fatty acids may mitigate the obesity-driven inflammation that promotes tumor progression and recurrence. These studies often evaluate omega-3 fatty acids as an adjunctive therapy alongside other agents like aspirin to achieve synergistic inhibition of the COX-2 pathway.

Other names

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsn3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsn 3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsn-3 PUFAn3 PUFAn 3 PUFAfish oileicosapentaenoic aciddocosahexaenoic acidEPADHA