Dataset Information

Efficacy of ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Patients with Lung Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT:

Background

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer can lead to a series of problems such as malnutrition and inflammatory reaction. Some studies have shown that ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) could improve malnutrition and regulate inflammatory reaction in these patients, but no relevant meta-analysis exists.

Methods

We systematically searched randomized controlled trials of ω-3 PUFAs in the adjuvant treatment of lung cancer in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases. Relevant outcomes were extracted, and we pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) using a random or fixed-effects model. The risk of bias was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook (version 15.1). The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

Results

A total of 7 studies were included. The SMDs (95% CI) of body weight change, albumin change, energy intake, and protein intake at the end of intervention were 1.15 (0.50, 1.80), 0.60 (0.11, 1.09), 0.39 (−0.10, 0.89), and 0.27 (−0.04, 0.58), respectively. The SMDs (95% CI) of CRP change and TNF-α change were −3.44 (−6.15, −0.73) and −1.63 (−2.53, −0.73), respectively.

Conclusions

ω-3 PUFAs can improve nutritional status and regulate indicators of inflammation in patients with lung cancer undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42022307699).

SUBMITTER: Tao X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9303080 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:Chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-related intestinal microbial dysbiosis is one of the main causes of intestinal mucositis. Cases of bacterial translocation into peripheral blood and subsequent sepsis occur as a result of dysfunction in the intestinal barrier. Evidence from recent studies depicts the characteristics of chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-related intestinal microbial dysbiosis, which creates an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut. Decreases in beneficial bacteria can lead to a weakening of the resistance of the gut to harmful bacteria, resulting in robust activation of proinflammatory signaling pathways. For example, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-producing bacteria activate the nuclear transcription factor-κB signaling pathway through binding with Toll-like receptor 4 on stressed epithelial cells, subsequently leading to secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Nevertheless, various studies have found that the omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid can reverse intestinal microbial dysbiosis by increasing beneficial bacteria species, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and butyrate-producing bacteria, such as Roseburia and Coprococcus. In addition, the n-3 PUFAs decrease the proportions of LPS-producing and mucolytic bacteria in the gut, and they can reduce inflammation as well as oxidative stress. Importantly, the n-3 PUFAs also exert anticancer effects in colorectal cancers. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-related intestinal microbial dysbiosis and introduce the contributions of dysbiosis to the pathogenesis of intestinal mucositis. Next, we discuss how n-3 PUFAs could alleviate chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-related intestinal microbial dysbiosis. This review provides new insights into the clinical administration of n-3 PUFAs for the management of chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-related intestinal microbial dysbiosis.