Tumor and red blood cell fatty acid composition as a potential indicator of outcomes in breast cancer: Findings from a retrospective cohort study

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-5-2026

Publication Title

Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids

Keywords

Docosahexaenoic acid; Omega-3 fatty acids; Omega-3 index; Tumor phospholipids

Abstract

The fatty acid composition of breast tumors may influence disease outcomes, but its use as a biomarker and its relationship with circulating fatty acids remain unclear. This study evaluated the composition of fatty acids in tumors and red blood cells (RBCs) of breast cancer patients to assess the relationship with tumor characteristics, RBC fatty acids, and survival. Paired (n = 122) frozen tumor and RBC samples from breast cancer patients were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. In the multivariable-adjusted model, the RBC fatty acid composition of n-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, β = 0.13, 95 %CI: 0.05, 0.22), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, β = 0.17, 95 %CI: 0.05, 0.28), and total n-3 (β = 0.17, 95 %CI: 0.05, 0.29) were positively associated with the fatty acid composition of tumor phospholipids and triglycerides. The relative percentage of linoleic acid and DHA in tumor phospholipids, and DHA and arachidonic acid in tumor triglycerides varied by tumor hormone receptor status. In multivariable-adjusted Cox analyses, the total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) composition of tumor phospholipids was associated with poorer overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.10, 95 %CI: 1.01, 1.20) and disease-free survival (hazard ratio = 1.09, 95 %CI: 1.01, 1.18). This study demonstrates the significance of using circulating n-3 PUFAs to predict tumor fatty acid composition, supporting their use as an accessible indicator of tumor n-3 fatty acid status. Although fatty acids differed by hormone receptor status, their relationship with survival was not confirmed. The MUFA composition of tumors may be clinically relevant to survival outcomes, but requires further investigation.

PubMed ID

41844486

Volume

209

First Page

102733

Last Page

102733

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