Low Plasma Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels May Predict Inferior Prognosis in Untreated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A New Modifiable Dietary Biomarker?

Prognostic significance of pretreatment serum free fatty acid in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the rituximab era: a retrospective analysis

Background

Fatty acid metabolism is reportedly associated with various cancers. However, the role of pretreatment serum free fatty acid (FFA) levels in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) prognosis is still unclear, and our study aimed to better elucidate its influence on clinical outcomes.

Methods

The medical records of 221 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients admitted to Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2011 to December 2016 were analysed retrospectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine a cut-off value for pretreatment serum FFA levels for prognostic prediction in DLBCL patients. The relationship between pretreatment serum FFA levels and clinical and laboratory parameters was analysed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

Newly diagnosed DLBCL patients with high pretreatment serum FFA levels (≥0.495 mmol/l) had more B symptoms, higher serum lactate dehydrogenase levels (> upper limit of normal), >1 extranodal site, and higher International Prognostic Index score (3–5) compared to those with low pretreatment serum FFA levels (<0.495 mmol/l). Higher serum FFA levels were independent prognostic factors for poor OS, but not PFS.

Conclusions

High pretreatment serum FFA levels are associated with lower survival in untreated DLBCL patients.

The Influences of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on the Development of Skin Cancers

Dietary nutrition intake is essential for human beings and influences various physiological and pathological actions in the human body. Among various nutritional factors, dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been shown to have various beneficial effects against inflammatory diseases. In addition to their therapeutic potency against inflammation, omega-3 PUFAs have also been shown to have anti-tumor effects via various mechanisms, such as cell arrest and apoptosis. To date, limited information is available on these effects in cutaneous malignancies. In this review, we focused on the effect of omega-3 PUFAs on skin cancers, especially malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, lymphoma, and squamous cell carcinoma and discussed the detailed molecular mechanism of the omega-3 PUFA-mediated anti-tumor response. We also explored the molecular mechanisms mediated by epigenetic modifications, cell adhesion molecules, and anti-tumor immune responses.

A Role for Lipid Mediators in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

In spite of therapeutic improvements in the treatment of different hematologic malignancies, the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated solely with conventional induction and consolidation chemotherapy remains poor, especially in association with high risk chromosomal or molecular aberrations. Recent discoveries describe the complex interaction of immune effector cells, as well as the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in the development, maintenance and progression of AML. Lipids, and in particular omega-3 as well as omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to play a vital role as signaling molecules of immune processes in numerous benign and malignant conditions. While the majority of research in cancer has been focused on the role of lipid mediators in solid tumors, some data are showing their involvement also in hematologic malignancies. There is a considerable amount of evidence that AML cells are targetable by innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, paving the way for immune therapy approaches in AML. In this article we review the current data showing the lipid mediator and lipidome patterns in AML and their potential links to immune mechanisms.