• Investigating the Role of Fish-Derived Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Prostate Cancer: A Narrative Review
  • Mahsakarimzaded,1 Vahideh Hejini nezhad,2 Parvin babaei,3,*
    1. Nursing student of Nursing and Midwifery Rafsanjan University of medical sciences, Rafsanjan, iran
    2. Nursing student of Nursing and Midwifery Rafsanjani University of medical sciences,Rafsanjani,Iran
    3. MSc Pediatric Nursing Student, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan,Iran


  • Introduction: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and several factors, including dietary patterns, play a role in its onset and progression. Interest in using nutritional interventions, especially fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids, is growing due to their potential anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Preclinical studies have shown the protective effects of these fatty acids on the growth and progression of prostate cancer; however, human and epidemiological studies have yielded conflicting results, indicating the need for a comprehensive review to clarify this relationship. The goal of this review is to analyze existing evidence regarding the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on prostate cancer risk, disease progression, and associated molecular mechanisms.
  • Methods: This study is a simple review of published scientific articles based on a comprehensive and targeted search of reputable international databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, as well as national databases SID and Magiran. Boolean operators (AND/OR) and a combination of key keywords such as "prostate cancer," "omega-3 fatty acids," "fish oil," "microbiome," and "Ki-67" were used. The selected articles included cohort studies, randomized clinical trials, case-control studies, and preclinical research. In total, 11 fully relevant articles were included in this review for analysis and to provide a comprehensive perspective.
  • Results: The results of this review indicate that the role of omega-3 fatty acids in prostate cancer is not fully clear. Epidemiological studies and a comprehensive meta-analysis found no significant association between high levels of omega-3 and an increase or decrease in prostate cancer risk. However, another systematic review suggested a possible link between higher fish consumption and a decrease in prostate cancer-related mortality. Regarding disease progression, a randomized clinical trial showed that a diet rich in omega-3 and low in omega-6, along with fish oil supplementation, significantly reduced the Ki-67 cell proliferation index (a biomarker for cancer progression) in patients under active surveillance. In contrast, another trial failed to show significant changes in Ki-67 and Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) enzyme levels with short-term fish oil supplementation. At the molecular level, preclinical studies on animal models identified key mechanisms. It was found that the anti-cancer effects of omega-3 are dependent on the presence of the GPR120 receptor in host cells, and these fatty acids inhibit tumor growth by suppressing tumor-associated M2-like macrophages. Additionally, a laboratory study showed that a specific type of omega-3 fatty acid (stearidonic acid) synergistically enhanced the effects of the chemotherapy drug docetaxel in breast cancer cells, which could help reduce the dose and side effects of chemotherapy.
  • Conclusion: The existing evidence regarding the relationship between omega-3 and prostate cancer risk is conflicting. However, the findings suggest a possible link between higher omega-3 intake and a decrease in mortality, as well as the inhibition of biological disease progression (reduced Ki-67). The anti-cancer mechanisms related to the GPR120 receptor and its effect on immune cells offer a promising therapeutic pathway. Conducting larger clinical trials with specified doses and sufficient duration is essential to clarify this role and evaluate the efficacy and safety of omega-3 supplements in prostate cancer management.
  • Keywords: Prostate cancer, Omega-3 fatty acids, Fish oil, Ki-67, GPR120, Cancer, Nutrition.