DOES CHRONIC ESSENTIAL FATTY-ACID DEFICIENCY CONSTITUTE A PRO-TUMORIGENIC CONDITION

Many experimental, clinical and epidemiological data indicate that n-3 and n-6 essential fatty acids are therapeutic nutrients which may del ay the development as well as improve the course of cancer. The presen t hypothesis correlates well with these data and it is proposed that c hronic essential fatty acid deficiency, when coexisting with chronic h yperproliferative states (hyperplasias) and de-differentiation (dyspla sias) both acting synergistically, may constitute a pro-tumorigenic si tuation. Evidence showing that, indeed, these hyperproliferative state s are consistently reported in essential fatty acid deficiency in many species, including humans, in malpighian layers of skin and the upper alimentary and urinary tracts, among others, is discussed.