Men with early-stage prostate cancer may have a new tool to help slow disease progression. A Phase II trial led by researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in omega-6, paired with fish oil supplements, significantly reduced the rate of prostate cancer cell growth. Over the course of one year, the intervention lowered cancer cell proliferation rates in men in the early stages of the disease who were participating in regular disease monitoring without intervention. This approach, known as active surveillance, allows men to delay surgery or radiation for years.
“This is an important step toward understanding how diet can potentially influence prostate cancer outcomes,” said William Aronson, the study’s lead researcher. Research results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
A Measurable Slowdown
The randomized trial included 100 men with low-risk or favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Half followed their regular diet, while the intervention group adopted a low omega-6, high omega-3 diet with fish oil supplements. They received personalized counseling from dietitians on reducing certain omega-6-rich foods like chips, processed snacks, and fried food while increasing omega-3 intake through healthier options like fish, olive oil, and nuts.
Same-site biopsies taken before and after the study measured changes in the Ki-67 index. This biomarker for prostate cancer progression, metastasis, and death measures how quickly cancer cells multiply. The group on the omega-3 diet saw a 15% decrease in this marker, compared to a 24% increase in the control group.
“This significant difference suggests that the dietary changes may help slow cancer growth, potentially delaying or even preventing the need for more aggressive treatments,” Aronson said.
Fish oil supplements played a key role in boosting omega-3 intake. However, not all patients benefited equally. Four men in the study were withdrawn due to adverse effects from the supplements.
What Didn’t Change
Although the results showed a clear reduction in Ki-67 in the intervention group, other common indicators of cancer progression, like grade group, tumor length, and prostate-specific antigen, were not significantly different between the two groups after a year. While the findings are promising, longer-term studies will be needed to see if these changes lead to better survival rates or prevent the need for more invasive treatments.
A New Path Forward
For men on active surveillance, diet offers a hopeful path. Currently, about half of these men require surgery or radiation within five years of diagnosis. Specific dietary recommendations have been lacking, but this study lays the groundwork for future guidelines.
“Many men are interested in lifestyle changes, including diet, to help manage their cancer and prevent the progression of their disease. Our findings suggest that something as simple as adjusting your diet could potentially slow cancer growth and extend the time before more aggressive interventions are needed.”
Future Directions
The research results suggest a promising path for nutrition-based prostate cancer management, and the researchers plan to continue to study the intervention in Phase III trials. By optimizing omega-6 and omega-3 intake, men with prostate cancer may gain more control over their health and delay invasive treatments. The findings provide new hope for integrating simple, sustainable lifestyle changes into cancer care.
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