Introduction: Head and neck cancer patients are at high risk of anorexia-cachexia syndrome and literature shows that Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) could regulate it. We aim to determine the EPA effect on body composition and pro-inflammatory markers in patients with head neck cancer.
Materials and methods: A randomized single-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer who received a polymeric diet with 2 g of EPA or a standard polymeric diet for six weeks before antineoplastic treatment. We assessed body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis and determined IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ, CRP, serum proteins, and blood count at baseline and at the end of the study.
Results: 32 patients received EPA (2 g/day) and 32 became controls. A decrease in serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ was observed in the experimental group, as well as regulation of body weight (-0.3 ± 5.9 vs. -2.1 ± 3.7), lean body mass (-0.2 ± 3.8 vs. -1.3 ± 3.6), body fat mass (0.2 ± 3.5 vs. -1.2 ± 3.8), and quality of life (10 ± 33 vs. 5 ± 34).
Conclusion: Supplementing with 2 g/day of EPA to head and neck cancer patient during antineoplastic treatment regulates serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, body weight, lean body mass, and improve quality of life.