Essential fatty acids and malignant disease.

EFAs have shown promising anti-tumour effects in cell culture studies and in animal models. However, it is also clear that in man EFAs can have marked immunomodulatory effects, in particular, inhibiting certain aspects of host anti-tumour defence mechanisms (natural cytotoxicity and cytokine production). Further careful studies are required to evaluate more precisely the role of EFAs in the treatment of malignant disease in man.