Breast CancerNCT01127867
A Pilot Study of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Obese Menopausal Women
A study testing dietary intervention in people with Breast Cancer and Obesity, run by Rockefeller University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study aims to determine if a supplement of an omega-3-fatty acid (docosahexaenoic - DHA) lowers inflammation in human fat tissue thereby lowering estrogen production and the potential risk for breast cancer. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 70 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Breast Cancer, Obesity
- What is being tested?
- dietary intervention
- How many people
- 17 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- May 2010to Apr 2013
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 to 70 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Post-menopausal defined as:
- 24 consecutive months without a menstrual period AND
- low serum estradiol level (<40 ng/ml) to be assessed at screening AND
- not taking any medication known to induce ammenorrhea AND
- no known endocrine abnormality associated with irregular/absent menses.
- BMI 35-50.
Who cannot join
- Currently taking any hormone therapy: oral, transplanted, vaginal, injected
- Currently taking NSAIDS (if > once a week, stopped < 30 days ago)
- Currently taking oral hypoglycemics
- Currently taking anticoagulant mediation or stopped < 30 days ago
- History of any malignancy or cancer treatment in the past 3 years
- Blood Pressure > 150/90 at screening
Show all 22Show fewer
- History of any bleeding disorder
- Screening LFT results > 2x normal upper limits
- Screening renal lab results > 2x normal upper limits
- Any condition or situation which, in the investigator's opinion, puts the patient at significant risk, could complicate the study results, or may interfere significantly with participation in the study.
- History of intestinal malabsorption
- Screening urinalysis positive for blood
- History of chronic diarrhea
- History positive for HIV
- Currently on any medication that can alter fat stores or large bowel inflammation as deemed by the principal investigator
- History of inflammatory bowel disease
- Screening thyroid function test abnormal
- Currently taking any weight control medication
- HIV positive as per POCT rapid test at screening
- Currently taking fish oil, omega-3 supplements or other herbals that exceed the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) levels
- Fasting blood sugar greater than 126 mg/dL at screening
- Currently taking more than 3 antihypertensive medications
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
The Rockefeller University
New York, New York, 10065
About this study
Official title: Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Reduces Inflammation and Aromatase Expression in Subcutaneous Fat in Obese Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study
This study aims to determine if a supplement of an omega-3-fatty acid (docosahexaenoic - DHA) lowers inflammation in human fat tissue thereby lowering estrogen production and the potential risk for breast cancer. The investigators also aim to study how this occurs to discover the basis for other potential treatments to lower estrogen production in fat tissue and decrease the risk of breast cancer.
Read the detailed description
Breast cancer is one of the most frequently seen cancers in the United States. Breast cancer occurs at all ages but is particularly common in post menopausal women. Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer primarily of the type that is stimulated by the female sex hormone estrogen. In obesity, fat cells produce estrogen which can alter breast tissue, while lowering blood estrogen reduces the incidence of breast cancer. Inflammation of fat tissue, the coronary blood vessels and the liver are also seen with obesity. Animal experiments have shown the inflammation in fat tissue increases the production of estrogen, thus reducing inflammation in fat tissue might lower estrogen levels and the risk of breast cancer in obese women. A diet high in omega-3-fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, has been shown in mice to reduce inflammation and aromatase expression (rate limiting enzyme for estrogen synthesis) in fat tissue.
This pilot study of five obese, post-menopausal women and an additional 12 morbidly obese post-menopausal women will include nutritional and medical evaluations, a four day inpatient hospital stay on a regular diet, to measure the inflammation and the estrogen producing machinery of each volunteer subject. Following these baseline measurements, subjects will be provided DHA supplements to take daily for three months and requested to weigh themselves twice weekly at home with the goal of maintaining their weight. Telephone interviews will be performed at scheduled points to check-in with the subjects and after six weeks a return visit to the OPRC will be conducted to assess progress and provide additional supplements. At three months each subject will be readmitted to the hospital and repeat the tests performed before starting on the DHA supplement. If the study shows feasibility and positive results it will be extended to more subjects and other interventions in the future.
- Conditions
- Breast Cancer, Obesity
- Being tested
- dietary intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Breast Neoplasms, Obesity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
dietary interventionDietary supplement
dietary intervention
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Reduced subcutaneous fat (obese)
Reduced subcutaneous fat inflammation changes between pre and post treatment for 5 pilot subject as seen by histologic quantification of monocyte aggregations (crowns), CD68 and CD163 stained macrophages in fat biopsies.
Measured: 6 weeks
Reduced subcutaneous fat (morbidly obese)
Reduced subcutaneous fat between pre and post treatment for an additional 12 morbidly obese subjects as seen by histologic quantification of monocyte aggregations (crowns), CD68 and CD163 stained macrophages in fat biopsies.
Measured: 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
multiplex bead assay/immunoassay
Lowered aromatase expression in fat biopsies accompanied by decreases in the synthetic enzyme COX1-MPGES-1 and/or increase in the catabolic enzyme 15-PGDH and associated changes in BRAC-1 and SIRT-1 expression by immunohistochemical evaluation of CD68, CD168 and CD3 stained monocytes and through examination of the mRNA of imune inflammatory markers in fat biopsies.
Alteration in serum estradiol and testosterone levels and/or changes in circulating cytokines/chemokines measured by multiplex bead assay and immunoassay.
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 May 2010 (estimated)
- Study startMay 2010
- Primary completionApr 2013
- Study completionApr 2013
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Breast CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 17 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Rockefeller University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Peter Holt, MD, Principal investigator, The Rockefeller University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01127867
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PHO-0702
- Status last verified
- Mar 2017
- First submitted
- 19 May 2010
- Last updated
- 13 Mar 2017
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Mar 2017. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Reduces Inflammation and Aromatase Expression in Subcutaneous Fat in Obese Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01127867
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PHO-0702
- Conditions
- Breast Cancer, Obesity
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 17 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Rockefeller UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- May 2010
- Primary completion
- Apr 2013 (actual)
- Study completion
- Apr 2013 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 May 2010 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to determine if a supplement of an omega-3-fatty acid (docosahexaenoic - DHA) lowers inflammation in human fat tissue thereby lowering estrogen production and the potential risk for breast cancer. The investigators also aim to study how this occurs to discover the basis for other potential treatments to lower estrogen production in fat tissue and decrease the risk of breast cancer.
Detailed description
Breast cancer is one of the most frequently seen cancers in the United States. Breast cancer occurs at all ages but is particularly common in post menopausal women. Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer primarily of the type that is stimulated by the female sex hormone estrogen. In obesity, fat cells produce estrogen which can alter breast tissue, while lowering blood estrogen reduces the incidence of breast cancer. Inflammation of fat tissue, the coronary blood vessels and the liver are also seen with obesity. Animal experiments have shown the inflammation in fat tissue increases the production of estrogen, thus reducing inflammation in fat tissue might lower estrogen levels and the risk of breast cancer in obese women. A diet high in omega-3-fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, has been shown in mice to reduce inflammation and aromatase expression (rate limiting enzyme for estrogen synthesis) in fat tissue.
This pilot study of five obese, post-menopausal women and an additional 12 morbidly obese post-menopausal women will include nutritional and medical evaluations, a four day inpatient hospital stay on a regular diet, to measure the inflammation and the estrogen producing machinery of each volunteer subject. Following these baseline measurements, subjects will be provided DHA supplements to take daily for three months and requested to weigh themselves twice weekly at home with the goal of maintaining their weight. Telephone interviews will be performed at scheduled points to check-in with the subjects and after six weeks a return visit to the OPRC will be conducted to assess progress and provide additional supplements. At three months each subject will be readmitted to the hospital and repeat the tests performed before starting on the DHA supplement. If the study shows feasibility and positive results it will be extended to more subjects and other interventions in the future.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 70 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 24 consecutive months without a menstrual period AND
- low serum estradiol level (<40 ng/ml) to be assessed at screening AND
- not taking any medication known to induce ammenorrhea AND
- no known endocrine abnormality associated with irregular/absent menses.
- BMI 35-50.
Key exclusion criteria (22 listed)
- Currently taking any hormone therapy: oral, transplanted, vaginal, injected
- Currently taking NSAIDS (if > once a week, stopped < 30 days ago)
- Currently taking oral hypoglycemics
- Currently taking anticoagulant mediation or stopped < 30 days ago
- History of any malignancy or cancer treatment in the past 3 years
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| dietary interventiondietary intervention | Dietary supplement | – |
Primary outcome
Reduced subcutaneous fat (obese)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Reduced subcutaneous fat inflammation changes between pre and post treatment for 5 pilot subject as seen by histologic quantification of monocyte aggregations (crowns), CD68 and CD163 stained macrophages in fat biopsies.
Reduced subcutaneous fat (morbidly obese)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Reduced subcutaneous fat between pre and post treatment for an additional 12 morbidly obese subjects as seen by histologic quantification of monocyte aggregations (crowns), CD68 and CD163 stained macrophages in fat biopsies.
1 secondary outcome
multiplex bead assay/immunoassay
Time frame: 6 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Mar 2017.
- The Rockefeller University clinical research information pageLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Peter Holt, MD principal investigator
The Rockefeller University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing dietary intervention in people with Breast Cancer and Obesity, run by Rockefeller University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 22 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Mar 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Reduced subcutaneous fat (obese) (time frame: 6 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Mar 2017.