Omega-3 polyunsaterated fatty acids improve quality of life and survival, but not body weight in cancer cachexia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials

Several clinical trials have reported that patients with cancer cachexia can benefit from n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) supplements; however, the results have been conflicting. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of n-3 PUFAs on cancer cachexia. A search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed to identify the included randomized controlled trials. Trials including patients with cancer cachexia who were administered a course of n-3 PUFAs were included. A meta-analysis on body weight, lean body weight, proinflammatory factors, quality of life, and median duration of survival was conducted. A total of 12 randomized controlled trials with 1184 patients were included. No effect on body weight (standard mean difference [SMD], 0.10; 95% CI, –0.06 to 0.26; P = .236), lean body weight (SMD, –0.17; 95% CI, –0.36 to 0.03, P = .095), or proinflammatory factors (interleukin-6: SMD, 0.31; 95% CI, –0.14 to 0.75; P = .18; tumor necrosis factor-α: SMD, –0.85; 95% CI, –2.39 to 0.69; P = .28) was observed. The use of n-3 PUFAs was associated with a significant improvement in quality of life (SMD, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.01-1.40; P = .048) and median duration of survival (median survival ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.19; P = .014). For patients with cancer cachexia, our meta-analysis indicated that n-3 PUFAs improved quality of life and survival, but not body weight.