Chemoprevention in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis with Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid

Jatin Roper, MD

• Associate Professor of Medicine

• Duke University School of Medicine

Chemoprevention in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis with Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an inherited condition that causes colorectal cancer in 100% of patients without colon resection. After colon resection, the most common site of cancer is in the upper small intestine or duodenum. Cancers that develop in this area require complex surgery to treat. Therefore, drugs to prevent precancerous polyp and cancer formation in FAP patients are urgently needed. However, most drugs that have been tested in FAP carry significant side effects, so they are not practical for lifelong use. We discovered that fatty acids in fish oil inhibit cell membrane receptor related growth pathways that cause colon and duodenal cancer in FAP. Fish oil is a commonly used and safe dietary supplement. In this application, we propose a clinical study of fish oil to reduce polyp development in FAP patients. The goal of this study is to establish a new, effective, and safe option for prevention of cancer in FAP.