Could Fish Oil Potentially Eradicate Leukaemia?

Could Fish Oil Potentially Eradicate Leukaemia?

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The results of a new trial just published in the Journal Blood, has outlined how a compound found in fish oil may in future be able to eradicate the blood cancer known as leukaemia .

In laboratory experiments at Pennsylvania State University, researchers found that a component of fish oil known as Delta-12-J3 Prostaglandin or D12PGJ3 can selectively target the stem cells of chronic myelogenous leukaemia or CML.

D12PGJ3 arises from Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), long chain fatty acid found abundantly in oily fish. It has now been shown in many previous trials that Omega 3 fatty acids have significant health benefits in helping to lower the risk of disease but this latest trial now opens up the incredible possibility that fish oil may be used in cancer therapy at some point.

"Research in the past on fatty acids has shown the health benefits of fatty acids on cardiovascular system and brain development, particularly in infants but we have shown that some metabolites of Omega-3 have the ability to selectively kill the leukemia-causing stem cells said Sandeep Prabhu, author of the new study and associate professor of immunology and molecular toxicology in the Department of Veterinary and Medical Sciences

Prabhu also said that it's necessary to target the stem cells as they can divide and cause more cancer cells.

Current drugs used for CML can prolong a leukaemia sufferer's life by keeping the number of leukaemia cells in the blood down but they can't cure the disease because they don't specifically target the leukaemia stem cells explained Robert Paulson, Co author of the study and associate professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences.

"The patients must take the drugs continuously," said Paulson. "If they stop, the disease relapses because the leukaemia stem cells are resistant to the drugs."

"These stem cells can hide from the treatment, and a small population of stem cells give rise to more leukemia cells," said Paulson.

"So, targeting the stem cells is essential if you want to cure leukemia."

CML is a relatively rare kind of cancer that is characterised by too many white blood cells being produced. It is not a genetically passed on disease and can develop in any individual at any age although it's more common in middle aged and older people.

The Leukaemia starts in the bone marrow in a cell called a stem cell. Stem cells produce new blood cells by replicating themselves and then splitting to make two new cells. In most cases of this type of leukaemia , something goes drastically wrong during this process of cell division and genes that are normally in different chromosomes get fused to each other resulting in an abnormal cell . This gene mutation is called the Philadelphia chromosome. However, the existance of the Philadelphia Chromosome is not the only scenario used to make a diagnosis of CML as it can also be present in other types of leukaemia.

Tests performed to diagnose CML include a full blood count and platelet count , a biopsy, identification of the Philadelphia chromosome, and an examination to identify if the spleen is swollen.

contact with radiation can increase the risk of developing CML although in most incidences of leukaemia the exact cause is unclear.

There are three stages of CML. The initial phase is called the chronic phase and this stage develops slowly over many years. During this period there may be no symptoms. The second stage is called the accelerated phase and during this stage there can be pain in the left side under the ribcage, mild fever and joint pain. The final phase is called the blast phase and this is terminal.

If the condition is detected early enough then treatment is available which can hinder the advancement of the disease but the only cure is a bone marrow transplant. a number of individuals are diagnosed during the last stage. During this phase there is nothing that can be done.

The researchers in this latest trial are now trying to find out whether the compound found in omega 3 can be used to treat the terminal stage of this kind of Leukaemia. They have also applied for a patent and plan to test the fish oil compound in human studies next.

About the Author:
Taking omega 3 fish oil EPA ,has been found to be very beneficial for a host of health probelms, for more information about fish oil and how it can help come and visit.



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