scholarly journals The Two Sides of Dietary Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musbau Adewumi Akanji ◽  
Heritage Demilade Fatinukun ◽  
Damilare Emmanuel Rotimi ◽  
Boluwatife Lawrence Afolabi ◽  
Oluyomi Stephen Adeyemi

Cancer is a major cause of mortality around the world, representing about 13% of deaths on the planet. Among the available cancer treatments, chemotherapy is most frequently utilized compared to other treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy. Many dietary antioxidants have proven to effectively prevent oxidative stress, which has been noted in many disease pathogeneses, including cancer. However, during chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment of cancer patients, antioxidants are used as an adjuvant treatment. The use of a proof-based technique is advised in determining the supplements most suited to cancer patients. Though there are numerous opinions about the dangers and advantages of antioxidants, it is reasonable to conclude that side effects caused by antioxidants, for now, remain unclear for patients during cancer treatment, aside from smokers during radiotherapy. In this report, details of the effectiveness of antioxidants on cancer treatment aiding in the reduction of cancer therapy side effects are discussed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (13) ◽  
pp. 2118-2132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysegul Hanikoglu ◽  
Hakan Ozben ◽  
Ferhat Hanikoglu ◽  
Tomris Ozben

: Elevated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generated by the conventional cancer therapies and the endogenous production of ROS have been observed in various types of cancers. In contrast to the harmful effects of oxidative stress in different pathologies other than cancer, ROS can speed anti-tumorigenic signaling and cause apoptosis of tumor cells via oxidative stress as demonstrated in several studies. The primary actions of antioxidants in cells are to provide a redox balance between reduction-oxidation reactions. Antioxidants in tumor cells can scavenge excess ROS, causing resistance to ROS induced apoptosis. Various chemotherapeutic drugs, in their clinical use, have evoked drug resistance and serious side effects. Consequently, drugs having single-targets are not able to provide an effective cancer therapy. Recently, developed hybrid anticancer drugs promise great therapeutic advantages due to their capacity to overcome the limitations encountered with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Hybrid compounds have advantages in comparison to the single cancer drugs which have usually low solubility, adverse side effects, and drug resistance. This review addresses two important treatments strategies in cancer therapy: oxidative stress induced apoptosis and hybrid anticancer drugs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 847-852
Author(s):  
Anna Ferrari ◽  
Marco Trevenzoli ◽  
Lolita Sasset ◽  
Elisabetta Di Liso ◽  
Toni Tavian ◽  
...  

The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 is a serious global challenge affecting millions of people worldwide. Cancer patients are at risk for infection exposure and serious complications. A prompt diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for the timely adoption of isolation measures and the appropriate management of cancer treatments. In lung cancer patients the symptoms of infection 19 may resemble those exhibited by the underlying oncologic condition, possibly leading to diagnostic overlap and delays. Moreover, cancer patients might display a prolonged positivity of nasopharyngeal RT-PCR assays for SARS-CoV-2, causing long interruptions or delay of cancer treatments. However, the association between the positivity of RT-PCR assays and the patient’s infectivity remains uncertain. We describe the case of a patient with non-small cell lung cancer, and a severe ab extrinseco compression of the trachea, whose palliative radiotherapy was delayed because of the prolonged positivity of nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2. The patient did not show clinical symptoms suggestive of active infection, but the persistent positivity of RT-PCR assays imposed the continuation of isolation measures and the delay of radiotherapy for over two months. Finally, the negative result of SARS-CoV-2 viral culture allowed us to verify the absence of viral activity and to rule out the infectivity of the patient, who could finally continue her cancer treatment.


Author(s):  
C. Hoppe ◽  
S. Kutschan ◽  
J. Dörfler ◽  
J. Büntzel ◽  
J. Büntzel ◽  
...  

AbstractZinc is a trace element that plays an important role in the immune system and cell growth. The role of zinc in cancer treatment has been discussed for some time, however without reaching an evidenced-based consensus. Therefore, we aim to critically examine and review existing evidence on the role of zinc during cancer treatment. In January 2019, a systematic search was conducted searching five electronic databases (Embase, Cochrane, PsychINFO, CINAHL and PubMed) to find studies concerning the use, effectiveness and potential harm of zinc therapy on cancer patients. Out of initial 5244 search results, 19 publications concerning 23 studies with 1230 patients were included in this systematic review. The patients treated with zinc were mainly diagnosed with head and neck cancer and underwent chemo-, radio- or concurrent radio-chemotherapy. Interventions included the intake of different amounts of zinc supplements and oral zinc rinses. Outcomes (primary endpoints) investigated were mucositis, xerostomia, dysgeusia, pain, weight, dermatitis and oral intake of nutrients. Secondary endpoints were survival data, quality of life assessments and aspects of fatigue, immune responses and toxicities of zinc. The studies were of moderate quality reporting heterogeneous results. Studies have shown a positive impact on the mucositis after radiotherapy. No protection was seen against mucositis after chemotherapy. There was a trend to reduced loss of taste, less dry mouth and oral pain after zinc substitution. No impact was seen on weight, QoL measurements, fatigue, and survival. The risk of side effects from zinc appears to be relatively small. Zinc could be useful in the prevention of oral toxicities during irradiation. It does not help in chemotherapy-induced side effects.


Small ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 2008210
Author(s):  
Ahram Kim ◽  
Chiaki Yonemoto ◽  
Chitho P. Feliciano ◽  
Babita Shashni ◽  
Yukio Nagasaki

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (8) ◽  
pp. 1389-1392

To summarize the recent trials and studies of the role of beta-blocker on the treatment for cancer patients treated with anthracycline to decrease morbidity and mortality rate. Good management of cancer will result in large numbers of cancer survivors. On the other hand, cancer therapy also has side effects, one of which is cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity could reduce therapy effectiveness, hence, increase disease progression and mortality rate. Anthracyclines is one of the chemotherapy agents with cardiotoxicity as a side effect. Beta-blocker has the ability to reduce cardiotoxicity due to anthracyclines usage. Keywords: Beta-blocker; Cardiotoxicity; Anthracyclines


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3587-3587
Author(s):  
Laura Diane Porter ◽  
Ronit Yarden ◽  
Kim Lynn Newcomer ◽  
Negeen Fathi ◽  

3587 Background: Colorectal cancer is the third-most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States. Young-onset colorectal cancer refers to individuals diagnosed under the age of 50. In recent years, the incidence has increased by 2.2% annually in individuals younger than 50 years and 1% in individuals 50-64, in contrast to a 3.3% decrease in adults 65 years and older. Young-onset (YO) CRC patients and survivors face unique clinical challenges with fertility and sexual dysfunctions, but this risk is not well quantified. There is limited data and public discussion on the long-term effects of colorectal cancer treatments on fertility and sexual dysfunction and the long-term impact on the quality of life. Methods: To explore the unique challenges and unmet needs of the young-adult patient population, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Colorectal cancer patients and survivors (N = 884) diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 50 years old (median age 42 ± 7.0) completed an online questionnaire based on established instruments EORTC-QOL-30, EORTC-CR-29, and EORTC-SHC-22. Results: Thirty-one percent of respondents stated that a medical professional spoke to them about fertility preservation at the time of diagnosis and during treatment. Only 31% were referred to a reproductive endocrinologist, even though 37% of women and 16% of men reported that treatment left them infertile or sterile. Among survey respondents, 12% of women had an egg retrieval procedure, and 36% of men had their sperm preserved prior to the start of treatment. Fifty-three percent of women reported treatment led to premature menopause. Sixty-five percent of respondents suffer from some level of sexual dysfunction due to treatment. In patients who received radiation therapy, women were 12% less likely than men to have discussed sexual side effects with the provider before treatment. Patients who have an ostomy reported more severe sexual dysfunction (17.8%). Rectal cancer patients were 2.5 times more likely than those with colon cancer to report severe dysfunction after their treatment. More than 25% of the respondents said they would have considered alternative treatment if they would have known the risks of sexual dysfunction. Conclusions: Our survey demonstrates inadequate communications between patients and providers about the irreversible fertility and sexual effects of colorectal cancer treatments. Younger patients and survivors face unique long-term challenges and require further information about fertility preservation options and emotional support regarding their sexuality post-treatment. Other studies are needed to assess the physical and psychological side effects endured by young-onset CRC patients and survivors.


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Schmalenberger ◽  
Charles E Gessert ◽  
Jean E Giebenhain ◽  
Lisa D Starr

The Life and Livelihood Study was designed to describe and understand the experience of women musicians treated for breast cancer. This report focuses on Phase I of the study, a web-based survey that examined subjects’ physical symptoms and side effects following breast cancer treatment. Subjects were recruited nationally, using advertisements in musicians’ publications and presentations at national meetings. Subjects were asked about specific side effects or symptoms they had experienced, their severity and duration, and the effects of symptoms on their capacity to make music. Subjects were also asked what aspect of their breast cancer treatment they associated with each symptom and were invited to provide comments. A total of 321 individuals logged on: 100 met all inclusion criteria. Of these, 90 completed the entire survey. Commonly reported symptoms included fatigue (70%), problems with cognition (53%), limitations in upper body movement (51%), and pain (45%). Many reported that their symptoms were of moderate or greater intensity, and that they persisted for >12 months or were ongoing. The survey documented that many subjects experienced diminished capacity to function as musicians, especially due to pain, limitations in upper body and extremity movement, numbness in the chest and/or arms, contracture/fibrosis, and shortness of breath. These findings are consistent with emerging studies that describe long-term effects of breast cancer treatments. In planning for breast cancer treatment, rehabilitation and survivorship, consideration should be given to how treatment is likely to affect fitness for ongoing professional work.


Nanoscale ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (35) ◽  
pp. 16164-16186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziliang Dong ◽  
Zhijuan Yang ◽  
Yu Hao ◽  
Liangzhu Feng

Innovative H2O2-driven nanoreactors have been designed and attempted for effective cancer treatment via amplifying intratumoural oxidative stress or attenuating tumour hypoxia.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. BCBCR.S38389
Author(s):  
Carmen E. Couvertier-Lebron ◽  
Rachel Dove ◽  
Summer F. Acevedo

For many patients, a cancer diagnosis is followed by chemotherapy treatment, which works by attacking cells that are growing and dividing throughout the body. Although cancer cells grow and divide more quickly than healthy cells, both are targets. The loss of healthy cells is associated with side effects, such as memory loss and altered response to a variety of food and drugs. In this pilot study, we use the “Survey of female cancer treatments, effects on memory and alcohol awareness” to explore trends in female experience and awareness of side effects associated with chemotherapy. We examined 79 female cancer patients, 46 Spanish-speaking women in Puerto Rico and 33 English-speaking women in the continental United States, and compared the rates of a reported memory loss or an altered ethanol response following chemotherapy, whether or not potential side effects were discussed with a medical professional, and whether they experienced changes in alcohol consumption after treatment. A majority of participants reported having experienced short-term memory loss postchemotherapy. Changes in response to alcohol and an altered sensitivity to alcohol were also reported by 25%–47% of the respondents. Additionally, more than half of all female cancer patients reported that they wished they would have received information on the side effects of chemotherapy and secondary medications prior to treatment. The survey results suggest that medical professionals are not adequately informing women of common, potentially harmful side effects of chemotherapy. Women do wish to be more educated about potential side effects related to memory and alcohol and be given the opportunity to discuss potential outcomes with a medical professional prior to treatment to reduce the negative impact of treatment-related side effects on posttreatment quality of life.


Nano LIFE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 07 (03n04) ◽  
pp. 1750008
Author(s):  
Wenhan Liu ◽  
Zejun Wang ◽  
Yao Luo ◽  
Nan Chen

Despite the clinical advances in oncology, cancer is still the major cause of death worldwide. Recent research demonstrates that the immune system plays a critical role in preventing tumor occurrence and development. The focus on cancer treatment has been shifted from directly targeting the tumor cells to motivating the immune system to achieve this goal. However, the activity of immune system is often suppressed in cancer patients. To boost the anti-tumor immunity against cancers, various nanocomposites have been developed to enhance the efficacy of immunostimulatory agents. Here, we review current advances in nanomaterial-mediated immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer, with an emphasis on applications of nanocomposites as immunoadjuvants in cancer therapy.


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