PubMed abstract PMID: 15159222
abstract also posted in the files section of the K9Kitchen discussion group

Monica's Comments
This paper reviews the existing literature on fatty acids, as found in fish and fish oils, and their ability to supress cancers from forming. The authors discuss the current knowledge on the exact cellular mechanics, the gaps in that knowledge, and a review of several hypotheses competing to fill those gaps.

The review is HIGHLY technical, but the whole thing is available online for those willing to wade through it. If you like the abstract below, you can collect the full study posted at the American Journal of Canine Nutrition.

The Abstract
Increasing evidence from animal and in vitro studies indicates that n-3 fatty acids, especially the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, present in fatty fish and fish oils inhibit carcinogenesis. The epidemiologic data on the association between fish consumption, as a surrogate marker for n-3 fatty acid intake, and cancer risk are, however, somewhat less consistent. This review highlights current knowledge of the potential mechanisms of the anticarcinogenic actions of n-3 fatty acids. Moreover, a possible explanation of why some epidemiologic studies failed to find an association between n-3 fatty acid intake and cancer risk is provided. Several molecular mechanisms whereby n-3 fatty acids may modify the carcinogenic process have been proposed. These include suppression of arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoid biosynthesis; influences on transcription factor activity, gene expression, and signal transduction pathways; alteration of estrogen metabolism; increased or decreased production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species; and mechanisms involving insulin sensitivity and membrane fluidity. Further studies are needed to evaluate and verify these mechanisms in humans to gain more understanding of the effects of n-3 fatty acid intake on cancer risk.

Study Authors
Larsson SC, Kumlin M, Ingelman-Sundberg M, Wolk A.
Division of Nutritional Epidemiology,
The National Institute of Environmental Medicine,
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.

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