Window of Opportunity Study Targeting the Inflammatory Milieu

This randomized pilot clinical trial studies omega-3 fatty acid or celecoxib in treating patients with breast cancer planning to undergo surgery. Omega-3 fatty acid may stimulate the immune system in different ways and stop tumor cells from growing. Celecoxib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known whether omega-3 fatty acid or celecoxib is more effective in treating breast cancer.

Inclusion criteria

• Age greater or equal to 18 and less than or equal to 50.
• Histological or cytological confirmation of breast cancer; for patients with fine needle aspiration (FNA), a core biopsy must be intended
• For patients diagnosed with needle core or excisional biopsy, formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tumor blocks or unstained slides must be available or patient must be willing to undergo repeat core biopsy for research purposes as part of study procedures (biopsy for fresh/ fresh frozen tissue is otherwise optional)
• Any clinical stage allowed provided definitive local resection intended and neoadjuvant treatment not intended
• Patient must be planned to proceed to definitive surgery for their breast cancer at least 1 week or more after diagnosis
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-1
• Patient must have laboratory parameters as follows:
• Liver function tests (Total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotrasferase, alkaline phasphataseAST) =< 2 x ULN
• Platelet count greater than or equal to institutional lower limit of normal (LLN)
• Patient cannot have greater than grade 1 anemia as determined by hematocrit (Hct)
• Written informed consent obtained prior to any initiation of study procedures
• Willingness to abstain from either fish oil or celebrex for study period if randomized to control arm
• Women who are lactating at time of diagnosis are eligible provided they complete weaning prior to starting study drug

Exclusion criteria

• Known autoimmune condition, chronic steroid use, underlying immune disease (other than breast cancer), use of immunomodulatory prescription drugs for any medical condition
• Known allergy or intolerance to fish oil, fish, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or cyclooxygenase-2 (COX 2) inhibitors
• Known bleeding diathesis or history of peptic ulcer disease; gastroesophageal reflux allowed if controlled
• Currently taking greater than one 1000mg fish oil capsule daily or celecoxib at baseline, unless willing to stop consumption 1 week prior to starting study
• History of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or coronary artery disease
• The presence of other comorbid conditions known to impact immune function, (such as: type I diabetes, uncontrolled adult onset diabetes, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), uncontrolled infection or known human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection)
• Underlying psychiatric condition which would, in the opinion of the investigator, preclude compliance with study requirements
• Women who are pregnant at time of breast cancer diagnosis and intend to continue the pregnancy; if pregnancy is terminated per patient's cancer decision making, they would be eligible for participation afterwards
• History of other malignancy besides current diagnosis of breast cancer, unless definitively treated more than 5 years ago
• Any history of Hodgkin's disease requiring mantle field irradiation
• Any previous diagnosis of breast cancer