A new study led by researchers from the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center sheds light on how dietary changes might influence cancer cell growth in patients choosing active surveillance for prostate cancer.
This approach involves monitoring the disease closely without opting for immediate treatment options.
Dietary Impact on Cancer Cell Growth
Published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the findings suggest that a diet low in omega-6 fatty acids and high in omega-3 fatty acids—enhanced by fish oil supplements—could significantly slow the growth of prostate cancer cells in men diagnosed with early-stage disease.
Dr. William Aronson, a Professor of Urology at UCLA and the study’s lead author, points out that this research marks an important step in uncovering the link between diet and prostate cancer outcomes.
Many men are eager to make lifestyle changes, including their diet, to manage their cancer more effectively and potentially slow its progression.
The results of this study imply that adjusting one’s diet could be a practical way to delay or even avoid the need for more intensive treatments.
Study Design and Methodology
Active surveillance is often the preferred strategy for many men facing low-risk prostate cancer, providing a middle ground between immediate treatment and watchful waiting.
However, statistics show that nearly half of these patients may require surgical or radiation therapy within five years.
This reality has sparked interest in alternative strategies, such as dietary modifications, to prolong the duration before more aggressive treatments become necessary.
Despite the lack of clear dietary guidelines in this area, past clinical trials exploring the benefits of vegetable-rich diets and healthy eating patterns have yielded inconclusive results regarding their impact on cancer progression.
To delve deeper into how diet might influence prostate cancer management, the UCLA team conducted the CAPFISH-3 clinical trial.
This study included 100 men diagnosed with low- or favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer who chose active surveillance.
Participants were divided into two groups: one continued its regular diet while the other transitioned to a low omega-6, high omega-3 diet supplemented with fish oil over a year.
Participants in the diet intervention group received personalized dietary counseling from a registered dietitian nutritionist.
This support was offered through various formats, including in-person meetings, telehealth sessions, or phone consultations.
The goal was to guide participants toward healthier food choices, moving away from high-fat, high-calorie foods and reducing their intake of processed items rich in omega-6.
The intent was to improve the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid consumption.
Fish oil capsules were provided to increase their omega-3 intake, while the control group did not receive any dietary guidance or supplements.
Key Findings and Implications
As part of the trial, researchers tracked changes in the Ki-67 index, a crucial marker that reflects how quickly cancer cells are dividing—an important indicator of cancer progression and patient survival.
Biopsies were taken from the same sites at both the start and conclusion of the study, utilizing an advanced imaging fusion device for precise tracking.
The study revealed compelling results: participants adhering to the low omega-6 and high omega-3 diet experienced a 15% reduction in the Ki-67 index, while the control group saw a 24% increase.
This clear contrast suggests that dietary changes could play a role in slowing cancer growth, potentially delaying or negating the necessity for more aggressive treatments.
Although these findings are encouraging, the researchers did not observe significant changes in other cancer growth indicators, such as the Gleason grade, which is commonly used to evaluate prostate cancer’s aggressiveness.
The research team emphasizes the importance of continued investigation to confirm the long-term benefits of incorporating omega-3 fatty acids and reducing omega-6 in managing prostate cancer.
They advocate for larger-scale studies to explore the persistent effects of dietary modifications on cancer progression, treatment efficacy, and survival rates among men under active surveillance.
Source: ScienceDaily