ABSTRACT
There is accumulating evidence that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly γ-linolenic acid (GLA, l8:3n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), have anti-tumor and/or anti-proliferative effects (1,2). They may circumvent the ∆6-desaturase deficiency of some malignant cells and/or improve the low levels of PUFAs detected in certain cancer patients (3,4). The altered PUFA pattern may enable the tumor to produce either free radicals, lipid peroxides and/or prostaglandins, many of which have anti-tumor properties (5-7).
