Omega-3 fatty acids decrease prostate cancer progression associated with an anti-tumor immune response in eugonadal...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Dietary fat intake influences prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression.
• Modulating the omega-3 (ω3) to omega-6 (ω6) fatty acid (FA) ratio may offer a strategy against PCa by impacting inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of ω3- and ω6-enriched diets on prostate tumor growth.
• To analyze the impact of these diets on the inflammatory response in both androgen-deprived and non-deprived conditions.

Main Methods:

• TRAMP-C2 prostate tumor cells were implanted in immune-competent mice (eugonadal and castrated).
• Mice were fed ω3- or ω6-enriched diets, and FA and cytokine profiles were analyzed in blood and tumors.
• Immune cell infiltration was assessed using multicolor flow cytometry.

Main Results:

• An ω3-enriched diet significantly decreased prostate tumor growth in both eugonadal and castrated mice.
• Tumors from ω3-fed mice showed elevated levels of Th1-associated cytokines (e.g., IL-12, IFN-γ) and eosinophil recruitment factors (e.g., eotaxin-1, IL-5).
• In vitro studies confirmed ω3 FA-induced eotaxin-1 secretion by tumor cells, regulated by androgens.

Conclusions:

• Dietary ω3 FA reduces prostate tumor growth irrespective of androgen status.
• ω3 FA demonstrates potential to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and stimulate a local anti-tumor inflammatory response.
• Further research into dietary ω3 FA's role in modulating immune cell function for treating androgen-sensitive and castrate-resistant PCa is warranted.