Evaluation of Erythrocyte Levels of Long-chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids as a Biomarker for Breast Cancer
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Date
2013-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Importantly, there are few reliable biomarkers for predicting risk for breast cancer. Because long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in cold water fish may be protective against breast cancer and the MetS, we propose to evaluate the potential of erythrocyte levels of omega-3 fatty acids to serve as a blood biomarker for breast cancer risk. The omega-3 index measures the percentage of the long-chained omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n3), to total erythrocyte fatty acids(1). The fatty acid composition of the erythrocytes was analyzed in relationship to obesity (BMI) and several other aspects of breast cancer risk in 26 women. In our cohort, the omega-3 index for women at-risk for breast cancer was 3.86% + 1.28 which is substantially lower compared with the 8% recommended omega-3 index by Harris for decreasing MetS risk. The omega-3 Index could be a useful biomarker for breast cancer, especially if used in conjunction with other risk factors, for predicting breast cancer risk in women. 1) Harris WS, Am J Clin Nutr 2008; 1999S. Funding from the Fisheries Scholarship Fund and the Food Innovation Center (LDY).
Description
3rd place in the Health Sciences Clinical Category at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum
Keywords
omega-3 fatty acids, breast cancer, Gail Score