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Last Updated 9/16/02
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Contents
- Overview
- Searches on Experimental and Unconventional Board
- News
- General Info
- Diet
- Organizations
- Journals
- Life Extension Foundation
- Books
- Herbal Reference
- Sources of Herbs
- Bulletin Board Posts of Interest
- Chemoprevention
- More on Theory of Chemoprevention
- Arthritis/Ulcerative Colitis
- Miscellaneous
Herbs and Natural Substances
- Amino Acids
- Antioxidants
- Berberine
- Baikal Skullcap
- Boswellia
- Bromelain
- Butcher's Broom
- Cat's Claw
- Cayenne
- Celebrex
- Chinese Herbs (miscellaneous)
- Chamomile
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Citrus Derivatives
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid
- Curcumin
- Devil's Claw
- Feverfew
- Fish Oil (Omega 3 Fatty Acids)
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Ginseng
- Ginko Biloba
- Glutamine
- Green Tea
- Guggul
- HolyBasil
- Lactoferrin
- Licorice
- Lovastatin
- Low Dose Chemotherapy
- Melatonin
- Milk Thistle
- Miscellaneous
- Myrrh
- Naltrexone
- Nettle
- Olive Leaf
- Oltipraz
- Oregano
- PSK - Maitake Mushrooms
- Propolis
- Quercetin
- Resveratrol
- Retinoic Acid
- Rosemary
- Selenium
- Shark Liver Oil
- Soy (Genestein)
- SPES
- Squalene (in Dietary Olive Oil)
- Whey
- Willow Bark
- Wobenzym
Overview
- 8/26/02
Fighting Cancer With Food
Natural COX-2 Inhibitors
- 7/20/02
Phytonutrients and Phytochemicals
Good list of different classes - potentially useful in cancer chemoprevention
- 6/5/02
Chemoprevention of Cancer
Scientific American 1996
- 6/1/02
Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Cancer: Current Research and Future Directions
Oncology Issues 15(6):17-19, 2000 FULL TEXT
- 9/9/01
TITLE: Current prospects for controlling cancer growth with non-cytotoxic agents--nutrients, phytochemicals, herbal extracts, and available drugs.
SOURCE: Med Hypotheses; 56(2):137-54 2001 UI: 21323887
AUTHOR: McCarty MF
In animal or cell culture studies, the growth and spread of cancer can be slowed by many nutrients, food factors, herbal extracts, and well-tolerated, available drugs that are still rarely used in the clinical management of cancer, in part because they seem unlikely to constitute definitive therapies in themselves. However, it is reasonable to expect that mechanistically complementary combinations of these measures could have a worthwhile impact on survival times and, when used as adjuvants, could improve the cure rates achievable with standard therapies. The therapeutic options available in this regard include measures that: down-regulate serum free IGF-I; suppress the synthesis of mevalonic acid and/or certain derivatives thereof; modulate arachidonate metabolism by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase, 12-lipoxygenase, or COX-2; antagonize the activation of AP-1 transcription factors; promote the activation of PPAR-gamma transcription factors; and that suppress angiogenesis by additional mechanisms. Many of these measures appear suitable for use in cancer prevention.
- 8/23/01
TITLE: Approaches for chronic disease prevention based on current understanding of underlying mechanisms.
AUTHOR: Weisburger JH
SOURCE: Am J Clin Nutr; 71(6 Suppl):1710S-4S; discussion 1715S-9S 2000 UI: 20298230
Fish-eating populations have lower incidences of heart disease and of many types of cancers than do other populations, which may be the result of the n-3 polyunsaturated oils found in fish. Among other dietary practices that may reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease are consuming 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, which provides antioxidants such as quercetin and isothiocyanates; having a high fiber intake, including bran cereal; and drinking 1.5-2.5 L of fluids daily. Tea polyphenols found in black and green tea may have a protective effect against heart disease and some cancers
- 8/17/01
TITLE: Progress in cancer chemoprevention: development of diet-derived chemopreventive agents.
AUTHOR: Kelloff GJ, Crowell JA, Steele VE, Lubet RA, Malone WA, Boone CW, Kopelovich L, Hawk ET, Lieberman R, Lawrence JA, Ali I, Viner JL, Sigman CC
SOURCE: J Nutr; 130(2S Suppl):467S-471S 2000 UI: 20185006
. Numerous diet-derived agents are included among the >40 promising agents and agent
combinations that are being evaluated clinically as chemopreventive agents for major cancer
targets including breast, prostate, colon and lung. Examples include green and black tea
polyphenols, soy isoflavones, Bowman-Birk soy protease inhibitor, curcumin, phenethyl
isothiocyanate, sulforaphane, lycopene, indole-3-carbinol, perillyl alcohol, vitamin D,
vitamin E, selenium and calcium
- 8/26/01
TITLE: Health-promoting properties of common herbs.
AUTHOR: Craig WJ
SOURCE: Am J Clin Nutr; 70(3 Suppl):491S-499S 1999 UI: 99408686
Research interest has focused on various herbs that possess hypolipidemic, antiplatelet, antitumor, or immune-stimulating properties that may be useful adjuncts in helping reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. In different herbs, a wide variety of active phytochemicals, including the flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, sulfides, polyphenolics, carotenoids, coumarins, saponins, plant sterols, curcumins, and phthalides have been identified
Many of these herbs contain potent antioxidant compounds that provide significant protection against chronic diseases. These compounds may protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, inhibit cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes, inhibit lipid peroxidation, or have antiviral or antitumor activity
- 10/3/01
MOST PROMOSING HERBAL THERAPIES
CENTER FOR MIND-BODY MEDICINE COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CARE 2000
Presenters: Ralph Moss, PhD and Mark Blumenthal
- 2/1/02
Herbal Therapies for Cancer
By Vivekan Don Flint and Michael Lerner
Research Assistance: Melanie Smith
October, 1997
- 4/21/01
Dr. Weil: Chemo OK, but other treatments needed
CNN News. Larry King, Dr. Weil, Alternative Medicine, Suzanne Somers, Iscador(herbal)
- 7/19/01
Testimony of Dean Ornish, M.D.
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education Committee on Appropriations United States Senate
Hearing on Complementary, Alternative, and Mind/Body Medicine
March 28, 2000
- 2/3/02
Synergy and other interactions in phytomedicines
Phytomedicine 2001 Sep;8(5):401-9
PMID: 11695885
Synergistic interactions are of vital importance in phytomedicines, to explain difficulties in always isolating a single active ingredient, and explain the efficacy of apparently low doses of active constituents in a herbal product. This concept, that a whole or partially purified extract of a plant offers advantages over a single isolated ingredient, also underpins the philosophy of herbal medicine. Evidence to support the occurrence of synergy in within phytomedicines is now accumulating and is reviewed here
- 2/3/02
The role of phytosterols and phytosterolins in immune modulation: a review of the past 10 years.
Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2001 Nov;4(6):471-5
PMID: 11706278
Although plant sterols (phytosterols) were chemically described in 1922, their biological role in human and animal health has been underestimated. Their ability to control cholesterol plasma levels in hypercholesterolimic patients was first described in 1983 when the structure of phytosterols implied that they could, by steric hindrance, inhibit the absorption of cholesterol from our diets. This has led to the development of functional foods containing high contents of these plant molecules or their esters as cholesterol controlling foods. Over the last 15 years, however, several reports have appeared in the literature indicating that phytosterols have some immunological activity as highlighted in animal models of inflammation or even in in-vitro and in-vivo models of cancer (colorectal and breast cancer).
- 6/1/02
Natural Products to Support Chemotherapy
Dr. Murray Online
- 6/1/02
An Integrated Alternative Medicine Program
Oncology Issues 15(6):14-15, 2000
- 7/25/02
Steve Dunn's Alternative Therapies Page
Searches of Interest From Experimental and Unconventional
- 6/5/02
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- 6/5/02
Oltipraz
- 6/5/02
PSK
- 6/5/02
Resveratrol
- 6/5/02
Curcumin
- 6/5/02
Green Tea
- 6/5/02
Lactoferrin
News
- 7/31/02
LEF News
--
LEF News Archive
- 2/3/02
Intelihealth CAM News
- 8/2/02
Ralph Moss Newsletter
- 8/2/02
Dr. Mercola's Newsletter
- 1/30/02
Natural Health Check
Alt med news
- 8/12/01
News About Complementary & Alternative Medicine (Cancerpage.com)
- 4/17/01
News About Complementary & Alternative Medicine (qualitycounts.com)
- 11/09/01
Alternative Medicine for Cancer Patients
News, Articles, etc.
- 1/21/02
HerbWorld News Online
- 2/2/02
COX-2 Inhibitor News
(qualitycounts.com)
- 6/10/02
Medline Plus Alt Med
includes news section
General Info on Alt Med
- 11/06/01
Office of Technology Assessment:Unconventional Cancer Treatments (1990)
Online Book
- 6/3/01
NCI Summary of Alternative Therapies
- 1/19/02
MD Anderson Review of Alternative Therapies
- 2/1/02
University of Pittsburgh Alt Med Homepage
- 2/3/02
Intelihealth CAM
Harvard Medical School. Lots of info here - articles, herb encyclopedia, etc.
- 1/7/02
CAM - including good herb list - from American Cancer Society
- 5/01/01
Unconventional Cancer Therapies - BC Cancer Agency (Canadian)
List of Alternative Therapies and Descriptions
- 9/10/01
An Overview of "Alternative" Methods
From Quackwatch.com (opposed to alt med)
- 6/5/02
Alternative and Complementary Medicine
From Arlene Harder's Learning Place Online
- 6/5/02
Alternative Therapy Critics and Skeptics
From Arlene Harder's Learning Place Online
- 6/5/02
When Alternative Practitioners Promise More than They Deliver
From Arlene Harder's Learning Place Online
- 1/21/02
Alternative Medicine - People
- 1/21/02
Alternativemedicine.com
- 1/21/02
Office of Dietary Supplements (govt)
- 1/21/02
McMaster Alternative Medicine Site
- 1/21/02
Alternative Cancer Therapies FAQ
- 2/1/02
Unconventional therapies for cancer
Canadian Medical Association Journal
- 2/1/02
Healthcare Reality Check
Science-based Information on
Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- 2/1/02
Research Database -International Updates Herbal Medicine
- 2/3/02
The Holistic Channel
- 6/10/01
Annieappleseedproject
Alternative Therapy Site
- 6/22/01
CancerOption.com
Alternative therapy site "Supported by doctors and oncologists, CancerOption.com, Inc.
has developed specific complementary therapies that assist in the prevention and reoccurrence of cancers"
- 5/5/02
Holistic Online
- 5/8/02
Yahoo Health Alternative Medicine
- 9/1/02
BJM Complementary Medicine
Diet/Nutrition
- 11/24/02
Two Dietary Regimes for Cancer - Macrobiotics and Gerson
- 9/6/02
Nutrition and Cancer
A paper by A.B. Robinson is available at this website which reports the results
of an experiment on dietary restriction in mice to control cancer growth
- 9/17/01
Beating Cancer With Nutrition
Book by Dr. Patrick Quillin
- 2/1/02
Nutritional Medicine
Patrick Quillin, Ph.D., R.D.
Elson Haas, M.D.
Richard A. Passwater Ph. D.
Charles Simone, M.D.
- 9/13/01
Dietary Supplements for Support During Cancer
- 9/13/01
How to fight cancer by using your fork
- 9/1/01
Cancer's Sweet Tooth
From The April 2000 Issue of Nutrition Science News
- 9/1/01
What to Eat / Supplement if One Has Cancer
- 7/19/01
Nutrition and Cancer: An Update
ASCO 2001
- 6/2/2001
Colon Cancer Panel Discussion
This panel focused on complementary therapies to prevent and treat colon cancer.
The panel reviewed the evidence on dietary influences and the use of supplements and
herbal therapies. Programs for making complementary and alternative therapies an integral
part of comprehensive care for colon cancer were outlined. Dr. Nixon spoke about supplements.
Dr. Nixon works in a cancer prevention research laboratory with outreach, clinical, and epidemiological components which relate to colon cancer. He stressed colon cancer prevention and treatment. Dr. Wargovich talked about research aspects of colon cancer prevention, the use of cylooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, herbs and diet. Patients with colon polyps or colon cancer are encouraged to increase fiber intake, decrease fat intake, exercise more and possibly supplement it with pharmacological agents such as cyclooxygenase inhibitors.
- 10/2/01
DNA damage from micronutrient deficiencies is likely to be a major cause of cancer
Mutat Res 2001 Apr 18;475(1-2):7-20
Ames BN.
A deficiency of any of the micronutrients: folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, niacin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron, or zinc, mimics radiation in damaging DNA by causing single- and double-strand breaks, oxidative lesions, or both
- 10/3/01
Micronutrient Supplementation for Patients With Metastatic Cancer
Medscape (free registration required) The optimal content for a program of micronutrient supplementation is unknown. After much discussion, the combination of micronutrients, chosen empirically, is as follows: a high-potency multivitamin (2 capsules twice a day), calcium ascorbate (vitamin C, 4 g twice a day), mixed natural carotenoids standardized to -carotene (30 mg twice a day), and d--tocopheryl succinate (vitamin E, 400 IU twice a day). The combination will be administered as several different commercially available preparations
- 7/7/01
Nutrition and Colon Cancer Prevention
- 9/13/01
Practical Prevention of Colon Cancer
- 7/19/01
Research Summary: A Look at Sulforaphane Glucosinolate (SGS(tm)) and Preliminary Evidence for Its Role in
Reducing Risk of Cancer
Johns Hopkins University Study Shows Some Broccoli Sprout Varieties to Have 20 to 50 times More SGS than
Mature, Cooked Broccoli
- 6/7/01
TITLE: Inhibition of azoxymethane-induced colon cancer by orange juice.
AUTHOR: Miyagi Y, Om AS, Chee KM, Bennink MR SOURCE: Nutr Cancer; 36(2):224-9 2000 UI: 20348510
- 6/5/02
Study Touts Broccoli to Fight Ulcers, Cancer
Tuesday, May 28, 2002; Page A04
Subsequent studies found that sulforaphane could prevent the
development of breast and colon cancer, as well as other tumors, in
mice. Then Talalay's team found that the key protective compound in
broccoli (a chemical called glucoraphanin, which the body turns into
sulforaphane) is at least 20 times more concentrated in three-day-old
broccoli sprouts than it is in broccoli.
- 6/5/02
Black Raspberries A Potentially Powerful Agent In Fight Against Colon Cancer
“The results of this study would translate in humans to eating two large bowls -- or four cups --
of fresh black raspberries each day,” he said. “That may seem a bit extreme. People need to know that these
animals are given whopping doses of a carcinogen. It’s conceivable that a much lower dose would be effective in humans.”
- 6/5/02
Fruits, vegetables and whole grains slow the growth of tumor compounds
Elson has been studying compounds he calls isoprenoids, a group that includes more than 22,000 compounds.
All are derived from a parent compound called mevalonic acid. Limonene and lycopene are examples of isoprenoids that inhibit cancer. Many isoprenoids contribute to plants' distinctive flavors and fragrances, Elson says. In plants, isoprenoids help regulate germination, growth, flowering, and dormancy while attracting pollinators and protecting plants from insects and fungi. Elson began working with isoprenoids because some can reduce cholesterol levels in animals. Initially he hoped that depriving tumor cells of cholesterol would make them susceptible to cancer treatments. But Elson's early experiments showed he could not lower the cholesterol in tumor cells by feeding animals isoprenoids.
However, he noticed that the isoprenoids slowed tumor growth. To screen isoprenoids for those with anticarcinogenic activity, Elson tests them against a cell line developed from an extremely aggressive form of mouse melanoma. He has identified many isoprenoids that can slow the growth of this cell line. The tricky part has been finding isoprenoids that suppress cancer growth at the low concentrations that might occur in diets.
- 6/5/02
Spirulina Anti-Cancer Studies
- 6/5/02
Avocado.org
New research indicates that the California avocado, one of nature's functional foods, contains phytochemicals
that may help fight chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer.
The phytochemical profile of the California avocado includes a cholesterol-lowering phytosterol called beta-sitosterol
and the antioxidant glutathione, according to Dr. David Heber, director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition.
Evidence suggests phytosterol and glutathione may help prevent certain types of cancers and heart disease in humans.
- 6/5/02
The avocado advantage
August 15, 2000
The avocado's image first took on some polish with a 1996 study by researchers at the Instituto Mexicano del
Seguro Social in Mexico (Archives of Medical Research, Winter 1996) that looked at the health benefits of daily
avocado consumption. The 45 volunteers who ate avocados every day for a week experienced an average 17 percent
drop in total blood cholesterol. Their cholesterol ratio also changed in a healthy way: Their levels of LDL
(low-density lipoprotein, or "bad fat") and triglycerides, both associated with heart disease, went down. Their
HDL (high-density lipoprotein, or "good fat") levels, which tend to lower the risk of heart disease, climbed.
Organizations
- 5/3/01
Steven Barrett's Quackwatch
(opposed to alt med)
- 9/10/01
Canadian Quackery Watch
(opposed to alt med)
- 8/26/01
Haelth
Alternative Medicine Clinic, chaired by Dr. William Fair
- 9/17/01
Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Cancer Treatment Centers of America uses a multi-modality approach to treat cancer. That simply means we combine traditional therapies, primarily surgery, radiation and chemotherapy (including fractionated dose), with medicine's newest therapies such as biological therapy and immunotherapy.
- 9/24/01
Consumerlab.com
Testing of Herbal products for purity and potency.
- 9/10/01
Alternative Medicine Foundation
Publishes JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE.
Mission Statement:
The Alternative Medicine Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax exempt organization formed to provide:
* evidence-based research resources for health care professionals
* responsible and reliable information for patients and consumers
about the integration of alternative and conventional medicine
- 2/5/02
American Neutraceutical Assn. Journal, Abstracts, News, etc.
- 8/26/02
Cancer Cure Foundation
has list of alternative clinics
- 8/26/02
Block Medical Center
Journals/Conferences
- 10/3/01
Nutrition and Cancer Journal
Medscape (free registration required) Free online articles
- 8/17/01
Alternative Medicine Review
- 9/24/01
Comprehensive Cancer Care Conference
Transcripts of talks from past conferences
- 8/19/01
Life Extension Foundation Magazine Archives
Life Extension Foundation
- 2/2/02
LEF Main Website
- 7/7/01
CANCER (ADJUVANT) TREATMENT
Life Exension Foundation Article
- 2/2/02
Cancer Radiation Therapy
- 2/2/02
Cancer Surgery
- 2/2/02
Cancer Chemotherapy
- 2/2/02
Alternative Treatments for Cancer
- 2/2/02
Pnacreatic Cancer
Many of the therapies here are applicable to Colon Cancer as well.
- 2/2/02
Catabolic Wasting
- 8/19/01
Life Extension Foundation Magazine Archives
Books
- 1/7/02 BEYOND ASPIRIN
Book Review 1 --
Book Review 2 --
Book Review 3
- 1/19/02 NATURAL COMPOUNDS IN CANCER THERAPY
Book Review 1
--
Book Review 2
ompress.com
list of compounds discussed
- 1/19/02
Cancer Increasing your odds for survival
Book
- 2/14/02
Office of Technology Assessments - Unconventional Cancer Treatments
FREE Online Book (1990)
- 2/14/02
The Medical Messiahs - A Social History of Health Quackery in Twentieth Century America
FREE Online Book (1966)
- 3/24/02
Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine
Book Review (from Alt Med Review)
- 5/10/02
Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies
- 5/10/02
Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs
- 5/10/02
Pdr for Herbal Medicines (Physician's Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines, 2nd Ed)
- 5/10/02
The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines
- 5/10/02
Living Proof: A Medical Mutiny
Michael Gearin-Tosh -
Review 1
-
Review 2
- 7/26/02
Choices in Healing
Michael Lerner - FULL TEXT free online!
Herbal Reference
- 5/3/02
How Do Herbal Resources Measure Up?
Seena Zierler-Brown and J. Bryan Walker
Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Assn. List of Herbal Reference and Websites
- 9/10/01
HerbMed
Database of herbs, interactions, uses, etc.
- 10/27/01
People's Pharmacy Herb Library
- 1/7/02
Healthwell Herb Encyclopedia
- 1/19/02
Alternative Medicine Guides
Herb Guide - SAME AS HEALTHWELL
- 10/24/02
Intelihealth Herb Library
- 1/21/02
The Natural Pharmacist Herb Encyclopedia
- 7/25/01
WholeHealthMD.com
Herbals, News, Encyclopedia, etc
- 4/21/02
Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases
Enter an herb, find out chemical composition, OR enter a compound, find herbs
having that compound in high concentration.
- 4/21/02
Update on Natural Product-Drug Interactions
from American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
Gayle Nicholas Scott, Pharm.D., FASCP, BCPS, CGP and Gary W. Elmer, PH.D.
The interactions of natural products with drugs are discussed. Interactions between natural
products and drugs are based on the same pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles as
drug-drug interactions. Clinically important interactions appear to involve effects on drug
metabolism via cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes, impairment of hepatic or renal function, and other possible mechanisms.
- 4/21/02
CAM Databases
from NCCAM
- 4/21/02
Dietary Supplements Resource List
Food and Nutrition Information Center
National Agricultural Library/USDA
February 2002
This resource list contains sources of general information on the uses and risks of dietary supplements.
The resources selected include nutrition information on phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals,
and other plant-derived substances; melatonin; amino acids, fatty acids, concentrates, metabolites, and constituents
and extracts of these substances
- 8/3/02
A Consumer's Guide to Herbal Medicines
- 9/16/02
Herbs and Supplements
Sources of Herbs
- 1/7/02
Iherb.com Online Store
- 1/30/02
Life Extension Foundation
Bulletin Board Posts
- 1/20/02
Beyond Aspirin - Intro
- 1/20/02
Beyond Aspirin II
- 1/30/02
Beyond Aspirin III - Trans Fatty Acids and Colon Cancer
- 1/20/02
Resveritrol
- 1/20/02
Bromelain
- 1/20/02
PSK
- 1/20/02
Oltipraz - Summary
- 1/20/02
Milk Thistle
- 1/20/02
A Consumer's Guide to Herbal Medicines
- 1/20/02
Understanding the Perceived Need for Complementary and Alternative
Nutraceuticals: Lifestyle Issues
Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing Article
- 1/30/02
Food is Medicine in Colon Cancer Fight - Article
- 1/30/02
Bee Products - Honey, Propolis
Cancer Chemoprevention
- 6/5/02
Chemoprevention of Cancer
Scientific American
- 7/19/01
Regulation of Tumor Angiogenesis by Dietary Fatty Acids and Eicosanoids
David P. Rose and Jeanne M. Connolly
[Nutrition and Cancer 37(2):119-127, 2000. - FULL TEXT PAPER -
Angiogenesis is a prerequisite for tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial cell proliferation, migration,
and capillary formation are stimulated by angiogenic growth factors, which include the proteins vascular endothelial
growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor- , and eicosanoids synthesized from n-6
fatty acids. Clinical studies have shown that angiogenesis in solid tumors relates to a poor prognosis and, in
premalignant lesions, indicates potential for cancerous transformation. High-fat, n-6 fatty acid-rich diets
were associated with a relatively poor prognosis in breast cancer patients; in a nude mouse model the same diet
enhanced breast cancer progression, whereas n-3 fatty acids exerted suppressive effects that were associated with
impaired angiogenesis. Lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase products of n-6 fatty acid metabolism are angiogenic in in
vitro assays. This activity is blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of eicosanoid biosynthesis, and one, indomethacin,
suppressed n-6 fatty acid-stimulated murine mammary carcinoma growth and metastasis and tumor vascularization. Review of
the experimental data suggests that selective inhibitors of eicosanoid-synthesizing enzymes and dietary intervention with
n-3 fatty acids merit clinical evaluation as adjuvant therapy and chemopreventive agents
- 6/6/02
COX-2 Inhibitors for Cancer Prevention and Therapy
ASCO 2002 Hear Actual Lectures and View Slides from the ASCO meeting
- 6/5/02
New Cancer Prevention Investigations Focus on Food, Lifestyle Factors
ASCO 2002
Dr. Greenwald outlined a specific metabolic pathway that is closely tied to the process of cancer development.
"The arachidonic acid metabolic pathway is the target for several chemopreventive agents and is also influenced
by what you choose to eat," he said. "One leg of this pathway is controlled by cyclooxygenases (COX) and affects
the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes; this is why people take aspirin to prevent heart attacks.
The other is controlled by lipoxygenases (LOX), which affect leukotrienes-mediators of inflammation and ligands
to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs)-which are products of the LOX pathway and may impact carcinogenesis."
Linoleic acids, or essential fatty acids (vegetable oils), are the food source for arachidonic acid. COX
inhibition is important, because COX-2 is expressed in all stages of human colon neoplasia. "The use of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories has been used to protect against polyps and to lower colon cancer incidence
and mortality," said Dr. Greenwald. "This is a great synthesis of epidemiology and the biology of cancer prevention
research." Clinical studies are currently underway to further study and quantify this effect.
Inhibiting LOX may be useful in preventing lung and other cancers. "We think LOX inhibitors, or leukotriene modulators,
used for asthma should be tested for chemopreventive activity, especially with former smokers. LOX inhibitors reduce
inflammation in the lung, white cell migration, and bronchospasm. Since the inflammatory process in some instances
may predispose to cancer, we think this needs further study," said Dr. Greenwald. "We also know that LOX mRNA is present
in lung cancer cell lines, that a LOX inhibitor slows adenocarcinoma cell growth, and that it slows lung tumor xenograph
growth in mice. LOX inhibitors also slow the growth of breast and colon cancer cell lines."
- 6/5/02
Celecoxib attenuated capecitabine induced hand-and-foot syndrome (HFS) and diarrhea and improved time to tumor progression in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC)
-ASCO 2002 Abstract- We undertook a retrospective analysis of 67 mCRC patients (pts) taking either capecitabine and celecoxib
(A) or capecitabine alone (B) in first/second line settings. The doses of capecitabine were comparable for A & B
and 31/32 pts in A received Celecoxib 200 mg BID for pain indications. Patient characteristics favored B: median
age (55 vs 65), better PS, and chemo-naïve. (31% vs 11%) 50% of the patients in A/B had failed CPT11 and/or
Oxaliplatin. Rates of SD (62.5% vs 22.8%) and CEA decline (75% vs 22.8%) occurred in A & B respectively. 2/7
PRs in pts with prior irinotecan occurred only in A. Median time to tumor progression (mTTP) in A & B was 6 vs 3
months respectively and TTP of 10+ months was not reached for 6 Pts in A. HFS, diarrhea and pain were noticeably
reduced in A. Interestingly, three pts experienced worsening HFS and diarrhea upon discontinuation of celecoxib.
Survival data will be presented. A prospective trial is planned
- 6/5/02
A suppression efficacy against the hematogenous metastases of adjuvant immunochemotherapy with protein bound polysaccharide K (PSK).
-ASCO 2002 Abstract- (NOTE: PSK is an AVAILIABLE Mushroom Extract) At four weeks after surgery, Group P began to receive alternately oral PSK (3g/day) for four weeks and
oral 5-FU (200mg/body/day) for four weeks as one course: Ten courses were given. Group C received 5-FU alone
for four weeks in an alternate rest interval for the same period. The seven-year disease-free survival (DFS)
and overall survival (OS) were 80.5% and 85.4% in Group P, and 60.5% and 65.1% in Group C, respectively.
There were significant differences between these two groups on both DSF and OS. Then, we also evaluated the
efficacy on a suppression of metastases by PSK. Subgroup analysis of logarithmic hazard rates revealed that
PSK was markedly proved to be more effective on hematogenous metastases rather than on other metastases.
- 6/5/02
Cimetidine increases survival of colorectal cancer patients with high levels of sialyl Lewis-X and sialyl Lewis-A epitope expression on tumour cells
- FULL TEXT - British Journal of Cancer, 21 January 2002, Volume 86, Number 2, Pages 161-167
Pubmed Abstract
PMID: 11870500
Robust beneficial effects of cimetidine were noted: the 10-year survival rate of the cimetidine group was 84.6%
whereas that of control group was 49.8% (P<0.0001). According to our previous observations that cimetidine blocked
the expression of E-selectin on vascular endothelium and inhibited the adhesion of cancer cells to the endothelium,
we have further stratified the patients according to the expression levels of sialyl Lewis antigens X (sL(x)) and A
(sL(a)). We found that cimetidine treatment was particularly effective in patients whose tumour had higher sL(x)
and sL(a) antigen levels
- 04/21/2001
Cancer Fighters in Your Spice Rack
Summary of Natural COX-2 Inhibitors:
Turmeric (curcumin), Red grapes, Rosemary, Green Tea, Bee Propolis
- 1/30/02
A review of cancer chemopreventive agents
Curr Med Chem 2001 Sep;8(11):1349-62 PMID: 11562271
Retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, such as targretin and fenretinide are useful in the prevention of tumors. Compounds containing sulfur, such as sulforaphane and oltipraz, are even useful as radioprotective agents. The steroid dehydroepiandosterone can inhibit experimental carcinogenesis. All of these chemical classes provide a start for the medicinal chemist to design more effective chemopreventive agents
- 1/30/02
Molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive activities of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals: down-regulation of COX-2 and iNOS through suppression of NF-kappa B activation.
Mutat Res 2001 Sep 1;480-481:243-68 PMID: 11506818
A wide array of phenolic substances, particularly those present in edible and medicinal plants, have been reported to possess substantial anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities. The majority of naturally occurring phenolics retain antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties which appear to contribute to their chemopreventive or chemoprotective activity. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inducible and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are important enzymes that mediate inflammatory processes. Improper up-regulation of COX-2 and/or iNOS has been associated with pathophysiology of certain types of human cancers as well as inflammatory disorders. Since inflammation is closely linked to tumor promotion, substances with potent anti-inflammatory activities are anticipated to exert chemopreventive effects on carcinogenesis, particularly in the promotion stage. Examples are curcumin, a yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae), the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and resveratrol from grapes (Vitis vinifera, Vitaceae) that strongly suppress tumor promotion
- 1/30/02
The role of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase in cancer chemoprevention.
Drug Metabol Drug Interact 2000;17(1-4):109-57 PMID: 11201293
The involvement of prostaglandins (PGs) and other eicosanoids in the development of human cancer has been known for over two decades. Importantly, an increase in PG synthesis may influence tumor growth in human beings and experimental animals, and numerous studies have illustrated the effect of PG synthesis on carcinogen metabolism, tumor cell proliferation and metastatic potential. PGs produced by cyclooxygenases (COXs) are represented by a large series of compounds that mainly enhance cancer development and progression, acting as carcinogens or tumor promoters, with profound effects on carcinogenesis. Further investigations suggest that arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites derived from lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways play an important role in growth-related signal transduction, implying that intervention through these pathways should be useful for arresting cancer progression. We discuss here the implications of COX and LOX in colon, pancreatic, breast, prostate, lung, skin, urinary bladder and liver cancers. Select inhibitors of COX and LOX are described, including nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), selective COX-2 inhibitors, curcumin, tea, silymarin and resveratrol, as well as a method useful for evaluating inhibitors of COX
- 1/30/02
Chemoprevention of colorectal cancer.
Am J Gastroenterol 2002 Jan;97(1):13-21
PMID: 11808936
Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that chronic intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), principally aspirin, can reduce the incidence of colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. Evaluation of NSAIDs, including newer selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors, in carcinogen-induced and genetically manipulated animal models of colorectal cancer demonstrates that these drugs are effective chemopreventive agents
More recently, the selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor Celebrex was also shown to be effective in familial adenomatous polyposis and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a adjuct to usual care in these patients. NSAIDs, as well as other chemopreventive agents, are currently being studied in patients at increased risk of colorectal cancer, including those with sporadic adenomas
Chemopreventive strategies, if effective, offer the promise of producing a paradigm shift in our current approach to colorectal cancer.
- 2/3/02
COX-2 Inhibitors - Present Realities, Future Possibilities
June 2000 Certified for 1 hour of Category 1 AMA Credit
Sponsored by the University of Alabama School of Medicine
Division of Continuing Medical Education
- 6/5/02
DIETARY FLAVONOIDS: Bioavailability, Metabolic Effects, and Safety.
Annu Rev Nutr 2002;22:19-34 PMID: 12055336
The six major subclasses of flavonoids include the flavones (e.g., apigenin, luteolin), flavonols (e.g., quercetin,
myricetin), flavanones (e.g., naringenin, hesperidin), catechins or flavanols (e.g., epicatechin, gallocatechin),
anthocyanidins (e.g., cyanidin, pelargonidin), and isoflavones (e.g., genistein, daidzein).
- 9/16/02
Cancer preventive effects of flavonoids--a review.
Biomed Pharmacother 2002 Aug;56(6):296-301 PMID: 12224601
A cancer protective effect from plant-derived foods has been found with uncommon consistency in epidemiologic studies.
However, it has been difficult to identify specific components responsible for this effect. Many phytochemicals have
been shown to be biologically active and they may interact to protect against cancer. In recent years, experimental
studies have provided growing evidence for the beneficial action of flavonoids on multiple cancer-related biological
pathways (carcinogen bioactivation, cell-signaling, cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation).
Although the epidemiologic data on flavonoids and cancer are still limited and conflicting, some protective associations
have been suggested for flavonoid-rich foods (soy and premenopausal breast cancer; green tea and stomach cancer; onion
and lung cancer). This review focuses on the biological effects of the main flavonoids, as well as the epidemiologic
evidence that support their potential cancer protective properties
- 6/5/02
Inhibitory effect of mandarin juice rich in beta-cryptoxanthin and hesperidin on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-induced pulmonary tumorigenesis in mice.
Cancer Lett 2001 Dec 28;174(2):141-50 PMID: 11689289
principle chemopreventive factors in MJs may be beta-cryptoxanthin and hesperidin. Present study was conducted to
test whether these MJs could modify carcinogenesis in other organ, lung
These findings might suggest that MJ5, which contain 3.9 mg beta-cryptoxanthin and 100 mg hesperidin in 100 g sample),
has chemopreventive ability against NNK-induced mouse lung tumorigenesis
More on Cancer Chemoprevention
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Arthritis/Ulcerative Colitis
Because of the apparent connections between "Inflammatory Conditions" such as arthritis and/or ulcerative
colitis and cancer (See e.g. the "Beyond Aspirin" posts
here
), herbs/supplements which benefit arthritis may also benefit cancer patients. Arthritis is EASIER
for researchers to study with regard to supplements, so there may be a little more information
available about herbal arthritis remedies. Whether any of these efficacy results would somehow carry over into
cancer chemoprevention is of course unknown, but my guess is in the future many of the "new results" regarding
herbal cancer therapy/chemoprevention will involve use of these herbs.
- 1/30/02
Chronic Inflammation - LEF Article
- 3/21/02
Herbs for Gout
Flavonoids, which are water-soluble plant pigments, are part of a large group of antioxidant phytochemicals. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), chiso (Perilla frutescens), many mints (Mentha spp.) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) are rich in luteolin, apigenin and caffeic acids
Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) and Taiwanese skullcap (S. rivularis) contain baicalein as well as several other anti-inflammatory flavonoids. Both the isolated flavonoids and herbal extracts from skullcap have shown effectiveness against paw inflammation in mice and are used traditionally for chronic inflammatory conditions and liver disorders.8,9 I recommend a combination of the herbs daily as a preventive measure: three capsules each of standard dose baikal skullcap, chamomile and yarrow. Incorporating chiso leaf and peppermint tea is also a good idea. Keep in mind that quite high doses of these herbs are needed to make an impact, but they can be supportive when taken in conjunction with diet modification
- 1/30/02
Rheumatoid Arthritis
- 1/30/02
Safe Herbal Anti-Inflammatories
June 1, 2001, 9:57 a.m. EDT
HERBS VS. DRUGS: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
Herbs work completely differently than drugs. Drugs isolate a single "active" ingredient with a single targeted effect. They can be effective in treating the targeted area of the body, but they can trigger a host of unhealthy, serious negative side effects and overall be very unbalancing to the body.
On the other hand, herbs use the intelligence of the whole plant or parts of the whole plant. Instead of one active ingredient, there are thousands of natural compounds that all work together in an organized fashion to not only treat the fundemental imbalance, but to balance and support the whole body enlivening the physiology's healing intelligence. Generally when taken properly, herbs have few if any side effects and usually have many side benefits.
TAKE 2 HERBS AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING
There are many well-researched herbs with anti-inflammatory effects just as effective as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. But unlike these drugs -- which can cause stomach problems like potentially fatal bleeding ulcers --these herbs have properties that actually help protect the stomach from ulcers. Green tea, holy basil, turmeric and ginger are a few of the herbs with these beneficial effects.
HERBAL ASPIRIN SUBSTITUTE AND OTHER BENEFITS
Research has found that herbs like ginger, green tea, barberry, holy basil, turmeric, rosemary and oregano (the pizza spice) have many other benefits beyond reducing pain and inflammation. Most of these herbs promote wound healing, inhibit cancer and help prevent Alzheimer's. Ginger, for example, has more than 477 different constituents identified so far that have anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and anti-nausea effects. It also lowers cholesterol and promotes good digestion, containing 180 times more protein-digesting enzymes than papaya.
- 1/30/02
Ulcerative Colitis - Healthwell Notes
- 1/30/02
Digestive Enzymes
Also indexed as: Pancreatic Enzymes, Pancreatin, Papain, Proteolytic Enzymes
Proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and bromelain are partially absorbed by the body.4 5 6 Once absorbed, they have anti-inflammatory activity and may even demonstrate antitumor effects.7 8 9 10 Proteolytic enzymes may also improve immune system function, for example, in people with shingles (herpes zoster), though this area of research has been poorly explored
- 1/30/02
Crohn's Disease - Healthwell Notes
Herbs that may be helpful: Doctors sometimes use a combination of herbs to soothe inflammation throughout the digestive tract. The formula contains marshmallow, slippery elm, cranesbill, and several other herbs. Marshmallow and slippery elm are mucilaginous plants that help soothe inflamed tissues. Cranesbill is an astringent. Clinical trials using this combination have not been conducted.
A variety of anti-inflammatory herbs have historically been recommended by doctors for people with Crohn's disease. These include yarrow, chamomile, licorice, and aloe juice. Cathartic preparations of aloe should be avoided. No research has been conducted to validate the use of these herbs for Crohn's disease.
- 3/24/02
Arthritis and Inflammation
Neutratherapeutics
- 3/24/02
LEF Arthritis Protocol
- 3/24/02
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Healthwell Notes. These herbs MAY be able to inhibit metastasis by reducing vascular
permeability.
- 5/5/02
Arthritis - Holistic Online
- 5/5/02
Rheumatoid Arthritis - Holistic Online
- 4/20/02
Herbal Anti Inflammatories
G. Douglas Andersen,DC,DACBSP,CCN
Description of general classes of herbs
- 4/20/02
Natural COX-2 Inhibitors
- 5/5/02
Cancer - Holistic Online
Miscellaneous
- 6/2/02
Doctoryourself.com
- 6/2/02
Chemotherapy - Do We Need a New Approach to Cancer?
- 6/2/02
The Doctor Within - To the Cancer Patient
- 6/2/02
Dr. Gonzalez Treatment Regimine
- 6/2/02
Alternative Cancer Treatments
- 6/2/02
The MD as alternative practitioner
- 6/5/02
BB Post - Hulda Clark and Cancell
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