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Randomized Multicenter Phase II Study of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Patients with a History of Breast Cancer, Premalignant Lesions, or Benign Breast Disease

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Participants must have a history of histologically-confirmed stage I-III invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), Paget's disease, lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), or proliferative benign breast disease
  • No evidence of disease (in situ or invasive cancer that would normally be treated by resection) at trial entry as determined by the investigator
  • >= 6 months from all previous breast cancer treatment (including surgery for invasive cancer, chest wall radiotherapy, chemotherapy, trastuzumab and endocrine therapy)
  • Participants must have a body mass index (BMI) >= 25, defined as (weight in kilograms/[height in meters]^2)
  • Participants must have adequate accessible breast tissue as determined by the treating physician, consisting of one breast unaffected by invasive cancer, which has not been radiated; a history of prior pre-invasive breast cancer or benign biopsy of this breast will be permitted
  • Daily DHA consumption =< 200 mg/day in the month prior to screening estimated by an abbreviated DHA food frequency questionnaire
  • Mammogram within no more than 6 months prior to the date of informed consent (normal/benign Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System [BI-RADS] 1 or 2) and no further routine breast imaging planned during the course of the study (12 weeks DHA/placebo)
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status must be =< 2 (Karnofsky >= 60%)
  • Absolute neutrophil count >= 1,500/uL
  • Platelets >= 75,000/uL
  • White blood cells >= 3,000/uL
  • Hemoglobin >= 10 g/dL
  • Total bilirubin within 1.5 times the institution's upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [SGPT]) within 1.5 times the institution's ULN
  • Serum creatinine within 1.5 times the institution's ULN
  • Pregnant women will be excluded; for women of childbearing potential; negative pregnancy testing within 72 hours prior to or on study visit #1 (day 0) and willingness to use adequate contraception during the study intervention OR post-menopausal defined as any one of the following 1) prior hysterectomy, 2) absence of menstrual period for 1 year in the absence of prior chemotherapy or 3) absence of menstrual period for 2 years in women with a prior history of chemotherapy exposure who were pre-menopausal prior to chemotherapy
  • Willingness to comply with all study interventions and follow-up procedures including the ability to swallow the study drug
  • Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria

  • Any type of active invasive cancer (excluding breast and non-melanoma skin cancer) within the preceding 18 months
  • A history of histologically-confirmed bilateral invasive breast cancer
  • Bilateral mastectomy
  • Prior history or evidence of metastatic breast cancer
  • Prior radiation therapy to the contralateral (unaffected) breast
  • Prior history of contralateral (unaffected) breast augmentation with breast implant placement
  • History of daily use of aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the week preceding study entry
  • History of DHA supplementation > 200 mg/day in the month preceding study entry
  • History of autoimmune disorder or any illness that requires therapy with chronic steroids or immunomodulators
  • History of therapeutic doses of anticoagulants including warfarin and low molecular weight heparin (e.g. for prior deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) in the preceding year
  • Participants may not be receiving any other investigational agents during the study
  • Women who have received cancer surgery, chemotherapy, biological therapy (e.g., trastuzumab), or radiotherapy for the treatment of any cancer within 6 months of study participation
  • Women who are receiving endocrine therapy for breast cancer treatment or chemoprevention including tamoxifen, letrozole, anastrozole, fulvestrant, or exemestane at the time of screening
  • Individuals with severe underlying chronic illness, such as uncontrolled diabetes; ongoing or active infection, psychiatric illness or social situations which in the opinion of the investigator would interfere with study participation
  • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to DHA or corn/soy oil in placebo agent
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding, or women of childbearing potential unwilling to use a reliable contraceptive method