Randomized dose-response trial of n-3 fatty acids in hormone receptor negative breast cancer survivors - impact on breast adipose oxylipin and DNA methylation patterns.

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggests the unique susceptibility of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor negative [ERPR(-)] breast cancer to dietary fat amount and type. Dietary n-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), may modulate breast adipose fatty acids and downstream metabolites to counteract procarcinogenic signaling in the mammary microenvironment.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine effects of ∼1 to 5 g/d EPA+DHA over 12 mo on breast adipose fatty acid and oxylipin profiles in survivors of ERPR(-) breast cancer, a high-risk molecular subtype.

METHODS

We conducted a proof-of-concept 12-mo randomized double-blind trial comparing ∼5 g/d and ∼1 g/d EPA+DHA supplementation in females within 5 y of completing standard therapy for ERPR(-) breast cancer Stages 0 to III. Blood and breast adipose tissue specimens were collected every 3 mo for fatty acid, oxylipin, and DNA methylation (DNAm) analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 51 participants completed the 12-mo intervention. Study treatments were generally well tolerated. Although both doses increased n-3 PUFAs from baseline in breast adipose, erythrocytes, and plasma, the 5 g/d supplement was more potent with differences (% total fatty acids) of 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56, 0.96), 6.25 (95% CI: 5.02, 7.48), and 5.89 (95% CI: 4.53, 7.25), respectively. The 5 g/d dose also reduced plasma triglycerides from baseline, with changes (mg/dL) of 27.38 (95% CI: 10.99, 43.78) and 24.58 (95% CI: 9.05, 40.10) at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Breast adipose oxylipins showed dose-dependent increases in DHA and EPA metabolites. Distinct DNAm patterns in adipose tissue after 12 mo suggest potential downregulation of aberrant lipid metabolism pathways at the 5 g/d dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 1 y, EPA+DHA dose-dependently increased breast adipose concentrations of these fatty acids and their derivative oxylipin metabolites and produced differential DNAm profiles involved in metabolism-related pathways critical to ERPR(-) breast cancer development. This distinct metabolic and epigenetic modulation of the breast microenvironment is achievable with high-dose n-3 PUFA supplementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02295059.