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The results of a recent study just published in the Journal Blood, has outlined how a component found in fish oil may in future be able to eradicate the blood cancer known as leukaemia . In laboratory experiments at Pennsylvania State University, researchers found that ingredient in Omega 3 known as Delta-12-J3 Prostaglandin or D12PGJ3 appears to seek out and target the stem cells of chronic myelogenous leukaemia or CML. D12PGJ3 comes from Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), long chain fatty acid found abundantly in oily fish. It has now been shown in many previous trials that Omega 3 fatty acids have important health promoting qualities in helping to lower the risk of disease but this most recent trial now opens up the exciting possibility that Omega 3 may become part of cancer treatment at some point. "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 create more cancer cells. Current medications used for CML can prolong a patient's life by keeping the number of leukaemia cells in the blood at low levels but they do not cure leukaemia as 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 quite rare kind of blood cancer that results in too many white blood cells being produced. It is not a disease passed down through families and can occur in any individual at any age however it's more common in middle aged and older people. The Leukaemia starts in the bone marrow in a cell known as a stem cell. Stem cells produce new blood cells by replicating themselves and then dividing to make two new cells. In most cases of CML , something goes drastically wrong during this process of cell division and genes that would usually be in separate chromosomes get fused together resulting in an abnormal cell . This gene mutation has been named the Philadelphia chromosome. However, the presence of the Philadelphia Chromosome is not the only criteria used to make a diagnosis of CML as it is often present in other types of leukaemia. Tests used to diagnose CML include a full blood count and platelet count , a bone marrow biopsy , testing for the Philadelphia chromosome, and physical examination to see if the spleen is swollen. excessive radiation can increase the risk of developing CML although in the majority of cases the precise reason is unknown . There are three stages of CML. The initial phase is known as the chronic phase and this stage develops slowly over many years. During this period there may be no symptoms. The second phase is called the accelerated phase and during this stage there may be pain in the left side under the ribcage, low grade fever and joint pain. The final phase is known as the blast phase and this is terminal. If the condition is diagnosed early enough then treatment is available which can halt the progress of the leukaemia but the only cure is a bone marrow transplant. a lot of people are diagnosed during the terminal stage. During this stage there is nothing that can be done. The scientists in this most recent trial are now trying to determine if the compound found in fish oil can be used to treat the blast crisis stage of CML . They have also applied for a patent and will test the fish oil compound in human trials soon .
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