Resolvins, Generated Naturally from Fish Oil, Show Promise as Anti-Inflammation Treatment

Excessive inflammation contributes to a variety of diseases, including cancer. The class of molecules known as resolvins appears to modify disease progression by decreasing inflammation, offering a potential therapeutic option, according to a recent review article published in the World Journal of Clinical Cases and co-authored by Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, Clinical Chief of Breast Surgery at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Resolvins are produced when the body metabolizes omega-3 fatty acids, which are found naturally in fish oil and vegetable oil. The scientists examined a number of studies evaluating the role of these molecules in reducing acute and chronic inflammation, which has been associated with diseases including gastroenteritis, hepatitis, diabetes, neurological diseases and cancer.

“Resolvins have been shown to play a central anti-inflammatory role, and may have the clinical potential to slow the progression of diseases related to inflammation, including cancer,” says Dr. Takabe. “Currently, there are only a small number of studies that investigate the correlation between resolvins and cancer in humans. Given their unique function with minimal side effects, resolvins could represent a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs.”

The authors note that further study will be required in order to develop therapies that take advantage of this anti-inflammatory capability of resolvins.