Prebiotic Effect of Eicosapentaenoic Acid Treatment for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

A significant proportion of patients who undergo liver surgery to remove bowel cancer that has spread to the liver (metastases) develop disease recurrence and die from the disease. The EMT2 study (NCT03428477) is a clinical trial of the omega-3 fatty acid EPA, investigating whether patients who EPA ethyl ester remain free of disease recurrence for longer than those taking placebo. Recent data suggest that the anti-cancer effect of EPA may result from changes to the microbiota (gut bacteria) which lead to an improved anti-cancer response by the immune system. This study will collect biospecimens (stool, urine, blood, tumour tissue) from participants in the EMT2 trial in order to interrogate the microbiome and immune mechanisms associated with EPA treatment, in relation to participant survival. Insights from this study will identify those most likely to benefit from treatment, leading to more targeted, personalised use of EPA.