The results of a new trial just published in the Journal Blood, has explained how a compound found in an omega 3 fatty acid may in future be able to cure 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.
Delta-12-J3 Prostaglandin comes from Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an Omega 3 fatty acid found abundantly in oily fish. It has now been evidenced in numerous previous trials that Omega 3 fatty acids have profound health promoting qualities in helping to lower the risk of disease but this latest trial now opens up the incredible possibility that Omega 3 may be used in cancer treatment in the future .
"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 leukaemia stem cells as they can divide and cause more cancer cells.
Current medications used for CML can prolong a leukaemia sufferer's life by keeping the number of leukaemia cells in the blood at low levels 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 type of blood cancer that is characterised by too many white blood cells being produced. It is not an inherited disease and can occur in any individual at any age although it's more likely to affect 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 the majority of cases of this type of leukaemia , something goes drastically wrong during this process of cell division and genes that would usually be in different chromosomes get stuck to each other producing an abnormal cell . This gene mutation has been dubbed the Philadelphia chromosome. However, the identification of the Philadelphia Chromosome is not the only criteria used to diagnose CML as the Philadelphia Chromosome is often present in other types of leukaemia.
Tests that are often used to diagnose CML include a full blood count and platelet count , a bone marrow biopsy , identification of the Philadelphia chromosome, and an examination to identify if there is a swollen spleen .
Exposure to radiation can increase the risk of developing CML although in the majority of cases the exact cause is unknown .
There are three phases of CML. The first 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 may be pain in the left side under the ribcage, mild fever and bone pain. The final phase is known as the blast phase and this is the terminal stage .
If the disease is detected soon enough then there are drugs available which can stop the advancement of the leukaemia but the only cure is a bone marrow transplant. a number of people are diagnosed during the accelerated or final stage. During this phase there are currently no drugs that can help .
The scientists in this most recent study are now attempting to find out if the compound found in fish oil can be used to treat the terminal stage of CML . They have also applied for a patent and will try out the fish oil compound in human studies next.
