
Last year in the UK over 60,000 cancer patients enrolled on clinical trials aimed at improving cancer treatments and making them available to all.
This trial looked at using omega 3 fish oil alongside gemcitabine to treat pancreatic cancer. It was for people with pancreatic cancer that had grown into the surrounding tissues (was locally advanced) or it had spread to other parts of the body.
Doctors can use chemotherapy to treat advanced pancreatic cancer. One chemotherapy drug they use is gemcitabine. Doctors have given gemcitabine with other chemotherapy drugs to try and improve treatment, but with little success.
We know from that omega 3 fish oil may slow down the growth of pancreatic cancer cells and increase the rate that the cancer cells self destruct. This is called apoptosis. In other laboratory studies researchers have also found that using omega 3 fish oil with gemcitabine worked better than gemcitabine alone against pancreatic cancer cells.
The aims of the trial were to
The trial team found that having fish oil alongside gemcitabine improved quality of life and helped some people in this small trial.
50 people took part. Everybody had gemcitabine and omega 3 fish oil.
The researchers looked at how well treatment worked. They had the results for 35 people. They found that
The researchers also looked at quality of life. They looked at 36 patients who had completed at least 4 treatments. More than half reported an improved quality of life compared with the beginning of the trial. They also reported improved pain levels.
The main side effects of treatment were
The trial team found that having omega 3 fish oil alongside gemcitabine helped some people and improved quality of life. They suggest that this treatment is looked at in more detail in a larger trial in the future.
We have based this summary on information from the research team. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists () and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team who did the research. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Dr Ashley Dennison
B. Braun Medical Ltd
Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Freephone 0808 800 4040
Last year in the UK over 60,000 cancer patients enrolled on clinical trials aimed at improving cancer treatments and making them available to all.