The effect of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on T-lymphocyte subsets of patients with solid tumors.
Gogos CA, Ginopoulos P, Zoumbos NC, Apostolidou E, Kalfarentzos F.
Cancer Detect Prev. 1995;19(5):415-7.
PMID: 7585727
Limited effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell numbers and functions in healthy young males.
Miles EA, Banerjee T, Wells SJ, Calder PC.
Nutrition. 2006 May;22(5):512-9.
PMID: 16600816
doi:10.1016/j.nut.2005.11.011
Th1/Th2 balance: the hypothesis, its limitations, and implications for health and disease.
Kidd P.
Altern Med Rev. 2003 Aug;8(3):223-46. Review.
PMID: 12946237
Th1 pathways typically produce activation of cytotoxic T
lymphocytes (Tc), NK cells, macrophages, and monocytes, all of
which can attack cancer cells and generally defend against tumors.
55 IFN-gamma and other Th1 cytokines are typically lower in
advanced cancer patients, while the Th2 marker IL-4 can be higher
or unchanged.56 Nodules of non-small cell lung cancer freshly
removed from patients expressed a marked imbalance toward Th2, as
did biopsy samples from basal cell carcinoma.57 In prostate cancer
patients IL-2 was low (Th1) and IL-10 high.58 IL-10 is a confirmed
Th1-suppressive cytokine, and heightened IL-10 is a common factor
in cancer.55
IL-10 has a variety of suppressive effects that include inhibiting
Th1 cytokine production, down-regulating APC and NK cell function,
and lowering overall T-cell proliferation.57 Especially under the
influence of IL-4 (Th2), tumor cells apparently up-regulate IL-10
that suppresses nearby killer cells. Tumor-derived IL-10 has been
documented in lymphoma, ovarian carcinoma, melanoma, neuroblastoma,
and renal cell and colon carcinoma.57 IL-12 is another cytokine
that can be up-regulated by Th1 activity and inhibited by Th2.59 A
low IL-12/IL-10 ratio was found in cervical cancer patients.55
Recent clinical studies suggest elevated IL-10 is predictive of a
poor prognosis. 57 With both IL-4 and IL-10 being proven inhibitors
of Th1 and promoters of Th2 activity, the recognized capability of
cancerous tissue to suppress immunity is readily rationalized.
A recently published study in Nutrition and Cancer (60(5), 643-651) by researchers at Kansai Medical University in Osaka, Japan has shown that AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) enhances immune function by increasing the number of dendritic cells (DCs).
DCs are a key part of the immune system responsible for presenting foreign substances to other immune system cells.
The study was conducted in a double-blind randomized fashion where twenty-one healthy subjects received a placebo or AHCC at 3.0 g/day for 4 weeks. Blood samples were obtained and measured at baseline and at 4 weeks. The number of circulating types of DCs was measured which included CD 11c+ DCs (myeloid DC population; DC1) and CD11c- DCs (lymphoid DC population; DC2). Other parameters measured included mixed-leukocyte reaction (MLR), natural killer (NK) cell activity, the proliferative response of T lymphocytes toward mitogen (phytohemagglutinin [PHA]) and cytokine production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, interferon gamma-gamma, and (alpha)-tumor necrosis factor.
Prostaglandin E2 production and T cell function after fish-oil supplementation: response to antioxidant cosupplementation.
Trebble TM, Wootton SA, Miles EA, Mullee M, Arden NK, Ballinger AB, Stroud MA, Burdge GC, Calder PC.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Sep;78(3):376-82.
PMID: 12936918
Dietary long-chain (n-3) fatty acids facilitate immune cell activation in sedentary, but not exercise-trained rats.
Robinson LE, Field CJ.
J Nutr. 1998 Mar;128(3):498-504.
PMID: 9482755