Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly the ω-3 PUFAs and
COXIBs have been associated with decreased
inflammation and the prevention of
tumorigenesis. ω-3 PUFAs have shown to display multiple antitumour actions, while ω-6 PUFAs and its derived
eicosanoids promote the effects in
cancer cell growth, angiogenesis, and invasion. ω-3 PUFAs may act by suppressing the metabolism of
arachidonic acid to form proinflammatory mediators or as a precursors of novel
lipid mediators with pro-resolving activity, while
COXIBs are able to modulate inflammatory response by inhibiting
cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), an inducible
prostaglandin synthase overexpressed in several human
cancers. As recently has been postulated, the anti-
inflammation and pro-resolution processes are not equivalent. A family of
lipid mediators from ω-3 PUFAs can act as agonist promoting resolution, while antinflammatory agents such as
COXIBs may act as antagonists limiting the inflammatory response. The present paper reviews the current knowledge about the role of PUFAs and its derivatives (metabolites), as well as the
COXIBs activity in
cancer process as a sinergic therapeutic alternative for
cancer treatment.