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Acupuncture

Acupuncture Provides Long Term Pain Relief for Breast Cancer Patients

Acupuncture Provides Long Term Pain Relief for Joint Pain Caused by Aromatase Inhibitors

In a randomized study conducted in November 2022 by a research team headed by Dr. Dawn Hershman MD,  asked


“Does short-term acupuncture confer long-term reduction of joint pain related to aromatase inhibitors among women with breast cancer?”

acupuncture-for-breast-cancer

This study demonstrated the benefits and highlights the durability of response to Acupuncture which significantly relieved joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors in women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer for one year.

Patients received 18 acupuncture treatments over 12 weeks.

This is a typical and traditional course of acupuncture applied to achieve a  real pattern change and durable outcome.  Controls included an second set of patients who received sham acupuncture and a third group of patients were told their were on a waiting list and received no treatment.   All patients had been receiving AI therapy for at least 30 days at inception. 


Patients were monitored for another 40 weeks and thus were followed for a full year.

“The study was conducted at 11 academic and community sites within the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program. Sites were required to have 2 trained acupuncturists for the duration of the trial.” (1)

 

Aromatase Inhibitors (AI) are widely used in the treatment of estrogen receptor positive breast cancers.    AI inhibit the transformation of androgens in the tissue into biologically active estrogens which can bind to the receptors on breast cancer cells sending a growth signal. Aromatase inhibitors are usually prescribed after surgery for five to ten years to reduce risk of recurrence in post-menopausal women.  


Commonly used first line AI include Arimidex (anastrozole), Aromasin (exemestane) and Femara (letrozole).


However a common adverse effect is joint pain and stiffness which contributes to non-compliance with therapy for more than 50% of breast cancer patients.  Many patients do not disclose to their physicians that they have discontinued AI therapy due to poor quality of life and persistent pain.

Researchers concluded that “Acupuncture was associated with a statistically significant decrease in aromatase inhibitor–related joint pain that persisted at 40 weeks after discontinuation of the intervention, suggesting long-term benefits of this therapy.”  

acupuncture-for-breast-cancer

(1) The study showed that a full course of therapeutic acupuncture over three months led to a durable change in perceived pain at 52 weeks compared to controls. This study did not follow women past 52 weeks.

Subsequent systemic reviews and meta-analyses (2, 3) of acupuncture trials have also demonstrated efficacy and long term beneficial effect. 

1.Hershman, D. Et al Comparison of Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture or Waiting List Control in the Treatment of Aromatase Inhibitor-Related Joint Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Nov 1;5(11):e2241720. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.41720. PMID: 36367721; PMCID: PMC9652759.

2. Liu X, Lu J, Wang G, et al. . Acupuncture for arthralgia induced by aromatase inhibitors in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Integr Cancer Ther. 2021;20:1534735420980811. doi:10.1177/1534735420980811 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

 

3. MacPherson H, et al. ; Acupuncture Trialists’ Collaboration . The persistence of the effects of acupuncture after a course of treatment: a meta-analysis of patients with chronic pain. Pain. 2017;158(5):784-793. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000747 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

 

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Book Review: You Finished Treatment-Now What?

 

A Field Guide for Cancer Survivors.
By Dr. Amy Rothenberg

You-Finished-Treatment-Now What

You Finished Treatment, Now What? A Field Guide for Cancer Survivors by Dr. Amy Rothberg is a roadmap for lifestyle and natural medicine approaches to address health challenges that persist after cancer care, and to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Dr Rothenberg wrote this guide for cancer survivors and those on their support and care team.

You Finished Treatment, highlights the evidence for an integrative approach to healing that Dr. Rothenberg has used for over 37 years practicing as a licensed naturopathic doctor.

She is also a breast and ovarian cancer survivor/thriver herself. She wrote this book to make sense of an overwhelming topic, in a user-friendly, accessible way, providing both actionable information and inspiration.

As a survivor/thriver of both ovarian cancer and breast cancer she speaks both from the physician’s and the patient’s point of view with heart, levity and solid, practical advice.

When diagnosed with cancer in 2014, Dr. Rothenberg sought and received state-of-the-art care at a renowned teaching hospital and had her own naturopathic medical team to help her best handle treatment, and rebound afterward.

Her writing is evidence-informed, while also bringing her personal experience as a doctor, patient, wife, mother, sister, and friend. Offering a natural, integrative medicine perspective on items in the news, find Dr.

This is an example of the principles employed in Dr. Chilkov’s OutSmart Cancer® System which is an integrative approach to combining the best of modern oncology with the best of research informed modern and traditional naturopathic systems of medicine for the very best outcomes.

This approach allows patients to have not only a plan for their disease, but also a plan to support their health during and after treatment and to support recovery, restoration and rejuvenation in support of both healthspan and lifespan.

Dr. Rothenberg’s both personal experiences and medical expertise combine to form a heartful and pragmatic approach with clear guidelines and recommendations. This book is a wonderful resource for both patients and families as well as care providers.

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Breast-Cancer

Changing the Management of Cancer with Personalized Testing

 

Personalized cDNA surveillance for patients with high-risk breast cancer

Is there a more sensitive technology that can detect preclinical breast cancer progression?

It is now possible to monitor fragments of cell free tumor DNA (ctDNA) circulating in the blood. This falls under the umbrella of “liquid biopsies” which monitor tumor burden, tumor response to treatment and early signs of recurrence or progression without a scan or need for a new surgical or biopsy tissue sample.

  • “Up to 30% of patients with breast cancer relapse after primary treatment.
  • There are no sensitive and reliable tests to monitor these patients and detect distant metastases before overt recurrence.
  • Breast cancer cell free tumor DNA blood test (liquid biopsy) can detect recurrence up to 2 years earlier than currently available conventional serum tumor markers and radiologic studies.
  • Cell free tumor DNA assays predict breast cancer recurrence earlier and with greater accuracy than traditional tools by using a highly-personalized molecular residual disease assay.

A cell free tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay is a personalized, tumor-informed assay with the power to give you earlier, clearer insight into your patient's disease. By detecting and quantifying ctDNA, you can optimize your ability to assess risk, predict recurrence, and monitor treatment response in those most at risk for progression.

This technology can be used to monitor a wide range of cancers. While this type of monitoring has not yet been widely adopted as “standard of care” I encourage you to educate all of your patients and their care providers to adopt the use of this highly reliable screening tool now.

Here, we demonstrate the use of personalized circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiling for detection of recurrence in breast cancer.”

Cell free tumor DNA assays use a sample of the patient’s tumor tissue to develop a unique DNA fingerprint. After that, follow-up blood draws capture changes in the level of ctDNA, giving clinicians a better picture of a patient’s risk of recurrence without the need for another tissue sample and may decrease the need for frequent scans and repeated frequency of exposure to radiation and contrast material.

neodjuvant

A recent study “demonstrates that patient specific ctDNA analysis can be a sensitive and specific approach for disease surveillance for patients with breast cancer. More importantly, earlier detection of up to 2 years provides a possible window for therapeutic intervention. “(1)

Currently, there are no sensitive and specific clinical tests available to follow patients with breast cancer after primary treatment. Signatera developed a patient-specific method to analyze circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) that allows for monitoring of these patients regardless of molecular genotype. In this study, we analyzed 208 blood samples from 49 patients monitored longitudinally for up to 4 years after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy to determine whether personalized ctDNA assays can allow for more effective monitoring than current clinical tests such as CA 15-3. Remarkably, for the patients that recurred, our test detected molecular relapse up to 2 years ahead of clinical relapse (median, 8.9 months) with 89% sensitivity and 100% specificity. This may provide a critical window of opportunity for additional therapeutic intervention.” (1)

hope

Data from a retrospective cohort analysis of EBLIS, a study designed to determine the lead interval between ctDNA detection and clinical metastatic disease, and to determine whether ctDNA in plasma can detect recurrent disease earlier than traditional methods, demonstrated that Signatera can accurately predicts metastatic relapse with a significant lead time over imaging and CA 15-3 (200 days on average)

Neoadjuvant

“…our study shows promise that early response prediction by highly sensitive ctDNA analysis in high-risk early breast cancer patients may facilitate a timely and judicious change in treatment to improve patients’ chances of achieving favorable long-term outcomes.(2)

Surveillance

Patients undergoing treatment as well as those who have completed their course of treatment can be assessed both for response to treatment during a course of therapy as well as for early signs of reurrence after treatment has been completed. In a study of patients undergoing treatment with Pembrolizumab, a checkpoint inhibitor.

“Baseline ctDNA concentration correlated with progression-free survival, overall survival, clinical response and clinical benefit. This association became stronger when considering ctDNA kinetics during treatment. All 12 patients with ctDNA clearance during treatment were alive with median 25 months follow up. This study demonstrates the potential for broad clinical utility of ctDNA-based surveillance in patients treated with ICB.” (3)

Recommended labs offering this technology include Natera, INVITAE, Foundation One, Caris Life Sciences. All of these labs are highly regarded in the oncology community. (Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any of the labs recommended in this article.)

How often should these assays be performed?
I recommend monitoring monthly during active treatment to determine if the current treatment is effective and continuing to be effective. This is a way to identify treatment resistance early.

top10-badgeI recommend monitoring every three months during the first two years after completing treatment or for patients with advanced receiving ongoing treatments. (For example advanced breast cancer patients receiving hormonal treatments, immunotherapy treatments, checkpoint inhibitor treatments or chemotherapy treatments over long periods of time.)

For long term survivors I recommend monitoring every 6 months until the 10 year No Evidence of Disease anniversary.

This is the same schedule of monitoring that we use in the OUTSMART CANCER® System to follow measurable biomarkers in the tumor microenvironment.

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References

  1. Coombes C, Page K, Salari R, et al. Personalized Detection of Circulating Tumor DNA Antedates Breast Cancer Metastatic Recurrence. Clinical Cancer Research. 2019;25(14):4255-4263.
  2. Circulating tumor DNA in neoadjuvant-treated breast cancer reflects response and survival M. J. M. Magbanua. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.11.007
  3. Bratman, S.V., Yang, S.Y.C., Iafolla, M.A.J. et al. Personalized circulating tumor DNA analysis as a predictive biomarker in solid tumor patients treated with pembrolizumab. Nat Cancer 1, 873–881 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43018-020-0096-5
  4. https://www.natera.com/info/know-breast-cancer/?utm_source=cancer-therapy-advisor&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breast-cancer-launch
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resveratrol

Resveratrol, Estrogen and Breast Cancer

Phytochemical Aromatase Inhibition

Estrogen Receptor Positive is a prevalent form of breast cancer that has been effectively treated by targeting the proliferative estrogen pathway. .   Typically pre-menopausal women will be given SERMS (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modifiers such as Tamoxifen) which blocks the effect of circulating estrogen on receptor binding, thus inhibiting estrogen stimulation and function.  Tamoxifen and SERMS also have significant adverse effects:  increasing thrombosis, endometrial proliferation, and cancer stem cells.   

resveratrol-cancer

Another category of hormonal therapies includes SEEMS ( Selective Estrogen Enzyme Modulators, such as Aromatase Inhibitors) including letrozole and Arimidex, which block the conversion of androgens to estrogens in the tissue by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme. SEEMS are primarily recommended to post-menopausal women.  While most studies on resveratrol and its impact on cancer metabolism are murine or cell studies, the evidence is compelling.   Most human studies have been focused on the cell-protective, anti-aging, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of resveratrol. Here we take a look at the aromatase inhibition properties of resveratrol.

Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a phytochemical that belongs to the stilbenoids group of phytophenols.  It is a natural plant compound found in the skin of red grapes, red wine, red grape juice, Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), and in small amounts in some berries such as blueberries, mulberries, lingonberries, bilberries, red currants, cranberries and in small amounts in pistachios and peanuts. 

In one study both resveratrol, as well as melatonin, were found to be aromatase inhibitors and to have an inhibitory effect equivalent to letrozole, a commonly prescribed aromatase inhibitor drug.

Although this was true in cell culture, it has not been seen in human studies, primarily due to the fact that resveratrol has a low absorption rate when taken orally.   

Estrogen receptor-positive Anti-aromatase effect of resveratrol and melatonin on hormonal positive breast cancer cells co-cultured with breast adipose fibroblasts.

 

Another cell culture study demonstrated that resveratrol could inhibit aromatase at both the enzyme and mRNA expression levels and that there was a significant transcriptional control of the CYP19 gene which promotes cell proliferation in breast tissue. The research concluded that these phytochemicals can be used to target allosteric binding sites on the aromatase enzyme.

A more recent study demonstrated the anti-proliferative effect on Estrogen Receptor positive (ER+)  breast cancer cells by effectively targeting allosteric binding sites on the aromatase enzyme by resveratrol, chrysin, and apigenin. The study also included berberine and pomiferin as promising phytochemical aromatase inhibitors.  High-quality berberine is readily available and has a broad range of therapeutic actions including impacting over 20 pathways involved in cancer cell metabolism, inflammation, and bacterial pathogen control.  

Wang Y, Lee KW, Chan FL, Chen S, Leung LK. The red wine polyphenol resveratrol displays bilevel inhibition on aromatase in breast cancer cells. Toxicol Sci. 2006 Jul;92(1):71-7. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfj190. Epub 2006 Apr 11. PMID: 16611627.

A similar study showed that resveratrol can inhibit the CYP19 promoter gene via transcriptional control by reducing estradiol mRNA abundance through aromatase inhibition.  This leads to an anti-proliferative effect.

Wang Y, Ye L, Leung LK. A positive feedback pathway of estrogen biosynthesis in breast cancer cells is contained by resveratrol. Toxicology. 2008 Jun 27;248(2-3):130-5. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2008.03.017. Epub 2008 Mar 29. PMID: 18462857.

The research on the impact of resveratrol on estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer proliferation and aromatase inhibition has fueled the development of several “enhanced” more bioactive resveratrol steroid analogues which may be more effective and have greater absorption than the form found in nature. 

In my clinical experience, resveratrol is a weak aromatase inhibitor and does not offer the level of protection provided by pharmaceuticals, but is also well-tolerated and without many of the adverse effects of aromatase inhibitors drugs. (Joint pain, fatigue, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, hot flashes).  I will give 3-5 grams of pure resveratrol powder daily in 2 divided doses. To overcome the low absorption rate of resveratrol.  I always give it a high-fat food such as nut butter or full-fat yogurt and mix in cinnamon and ginger not only to improve the taste but also to enhance digestion and absorption.  This may be a good option for women who stop taking aromatase inhibitors due to unacceptable side effects negatively impacting their Quality of Life. Pharmacologic dosing of resveratrol can offer a mild aromatase inhibitory protective effect to these women along with over 50 additional pathways contributing to health and longevity.

Alhadrami HA, Sayed AM, Melebari SA, Khogeer AA, Abdulaal WH, Al-Fageeh MB, Algahtani M, Rateb ME. Targeting allosteric sites of human aromatase: a comprehensive in-silico and in-vitro workflow to find potential plant-based anti-breast cancer therapeutics. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2021 Dec;36(1):1334-1345. doi: 10.1080/14756366.2021.1937145. PMID: 34139914; PMCID: PMC8759730.

Kang H., Xiao X., Huang C., Yuan Y., Tang D., Dai X., Zeng X. Potent aromatase inhibitors and molecular mechanism of inhibitory action. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2018;143:426–437. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.11.057. - DOI - PubMed

Sainsbury R. The development of endocrine therapy for women with breast cancer. Cancer Treat. Rev. 2013;39:507–517. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2012.07.006. - DOI - PubMed

Zhao H., Zhou L., Shangguan A.J., Bulun S.E. Aromatase expression and regulation in breast and endometrial cancer. J. Mol. Endocrinol. 2016;57:R19–R33. doi: 10.1530/JME-15-0310. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

breast-bone-cancer

The Link between Bone Density and Breast Cancer Risk

Understanding and Monitoring Risk Factors

Bone density, or bone mineral density ( BMD ), is the amount of bone mineral in bone tissue.  Bone mineral density (BMD) is a lifetime marker of estrogen exposure in a woman's body and has been associated with increased breast cancer risk. Estrogen is a crucial factor in maintaining bone density and gradually decreases over age. While there are many factors that influence bone density and bone health, the presence of estrogen contributes to the capacity of bone to continuously remodel and maintain the dynamic balance between bone resorption and bone formation.  A woman’s exposure to estrogen over the life cycle may contribute to her risk of breast cancer.

breast-cancer

Bone density measurement is used in clinical medicine as an indirect indicator of osteoporosis and fracture risk.  There is a clear association between poor bone density and a higher probability of fracture.  There is a clear association between poor bone density and low estrogen levels.  Conversely, there is a clear association between increased and healthy bone density and higher estrogen levels.

pink-ribbonScreening for risk of breast cancer should ALSO include assessment of estrogen levels and bone density along with well-recognized risk factors which include first degree relatives, obesity, increased visceral fat, smoking, alcoholism, early menarche, late menopause, sedentary lifestyle, hormone replacement therapy, and prolonged estrogen exposure, increased density of breast tissue. 

I would also add exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors and imbalances in the intestinal microbiome influencing estrogen metabolism.  

Breast density and bone density are related to endogenous and exogenous estrogen exposure in a woman’s body.  There is a correlation between estrogen exposure, high breast density, high bone density, and increased risk of breast cancer.

Bone is living metabolically active tissue. “Bone remodeling is the process by which bone is renewed to maintain bone strength and mineral homeostasis. Remodeling involves continuous removal of discrete packets of old bone, replacement of these packets with newly synthesized proteinaceous matrix, and subsequent mineralization of the matrix to form new bone begins before birth and continues until death.  Bone remodeling increases in perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women and then slows with further aging, but continues at a faster rate than in premenopausal women. Bone remodeling is thought to increase mildly in aging men.”  Normal Bone Anatomy and Physiology 10.2215/CJN.04151206

Engaging in a health model for all patients includes assessing and managing bone health to promote healthy bone over the life cycle. A health model for cancer patients, due to the typically older age demographics will inherently include a large population of patients already at risk for loss of bone mass, osteopenia and osteoporosis. Screening for bone mineral density and managing bone health should be part of whole-person, whole health care. Taking a thorough history that includes family history, bone health and bone mineral density can bring attention to patients at higher risk for low bone density and fracture as well as patients with a higher risk of estrogen driven breast cancers.

Bone density measurement is used in clinical medicine as an indirect indicator of osteoporosis and fracture risk.  There is a clear association between poor bone density and higher probability of fracture.  There is a clear association between poor bone density and low estrogen levels.  Conversely there is a clear association between increased and healthy bone density and higher estrogen levels.

The Most Common Risk Factors for Low Bone Density and Primary Considerations for a Bone Density Test include:

bone-density 

  • Females age 65 or older
  • Males aged 70 or older
  • People over age 50 with
    • previous bone fracture from minor trauma
    • rheumatoid arthritis
    • low body weight
    • a parent with a hip fracture
  • Individuals with vertebral abnormalities
  • Individuals receiving, or planning to receive, long-term glucocorticoid therapy
  • Individuals with primary hyperparathyroidism
  • Individuals being monitored to assess the response or efficacy of an approved osteoporosis drug therapy
  • Individuals receiving androgen deprivation therapy 
  • Individuals with a history of eating disorders

Additional factors that are related to the risk of low bone density and the need for assessment include smoking, alcohol intake, long-term use of corticosteroid drugs, sedentary or convalescent lifestyle, protein status, mineral status, digestion, and absorption function, chronic inflammation and vitamin D status.  

For cancer patients and survivors also consider periods of poor nutrition, calorie, protein status, convalescence, lack of exercise, effect of hormonal therapies, oophorectomy, orchiectomy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, treatment induced thyroiditis, gastritis, enteritis and colitis,  chronic pain impacting appetite, digestive and absorptive dysfunction, surgical loss of gastrointestinal organs and function as contributors to risk of loss of bone density and as well as multiple and varied adverse effects of cancer physiology and cancer treatments upon nutritional status and active lifestyle.

Selected References 

Clarke B. Normal bone anatomy and physiology. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008 Nov;3 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):S131-9. doi: 10.2215/CJN.04151206. PMID: 18988698; PMCID: PMC3152283.

Fraenkel M, Novack V, Mizrakli Y, Koretz M, Siris E, Norton L, Shafat T, Geffen DB. Bone mineral density in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: a prospective cohort study. NPJ Breast Cancer. 2022 Feb 17;8(1):21. doi: 10.1038/s41523-022-00388-z. PMID: 35177701; PMCID: PMC8854387.

Zain NM, Seriramulu VP, Chelliah KK. Bone Mineral Density and Breast Cancer Risk Factors among Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women A Systematic Review. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016;17(7):3229-34. PMID: 27509955.

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breast-cancer

Should PreMenopausal Breast Cancer Patients Receive Endocrine Therapy?

 

Endocrine Therapy Provides TwentyYear Benefit in ER+ Breast Cancer

Integrative and Individualized cancer care is the best cancer care and yields the best long term outcomes. Making individualized care decisions and including a health model, not just a disease model and following the OutSmart Cancer® Diet Guidelines are core principles of the OutSmart Cancer® System.

Two years of adjuvant endocrine therapy in premenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer can reduce the risk of recurrence at 20 years, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. (2)  This study is meaningful because many oncologists recommend five to ten years of endocrine therapy.  This study clearly demonstrates that only two years is sufficient to significantly reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence 20 years after completion of conventional oncology treatment.  This study also demonstrates that women who are candidates for and who do not receive endocrine therapy have worse outcomes. 

Furthermore this study demonstrates that women with low genomic risk should receive tamoxifen and women with high genomic risk should receive goserilin for best long term outcomes.

By including an integrative approach utilizing the health principles of the OutSmart Cancer® System, we can further manage the side effects of these treatments and support healthy function and quality of life for these women.

OUTSMART CANCER SYSTEM® Integrative Approach and Health Focussed Model

chinese-characterEspecially supportive to management of adverse menopausal effects of endocrine therapy include acupuncture therapy(3), copper free bone mineral formula and optimized Vitamin D as well as traditional Chinese Herbal Tonics

 that nourish yin and blood and support kidney qi to modulate menopausal symptoms without estrogenic effects such as Er Xian Tang (Two Immortals Formula)  and also formulas to address hormone depletion related mood dysregulation, depression and irritability such as Shu Gan Tang (Buplerum and Evodia Combination) to harmonize the liver qi and relieve stagnation of blood and emotions.  Furthermore, patients with estrogenic cancers should be given guidance on restricting estrogenic foods from their diets as part of a lifelong plan to prevent recurrence. For example,  both red meat (7) and alcohol (6) are known carcinogens linked to promotion of breast cancer and should be restricted.  Following the OutSmart Cancer® Diet Guidelines is recommended 

Monitoring for complications of endocrine therapies

Patients receiving Tamoxifen therapy  (an oral selective estrogen receptor modifier) should have semi-annual uterine ultrasound to measure endometrial thickness to assess risk of uterine hyperplasia and neoplasm as a risk of tamoxifen therapy.

Patient receiving goserilin  (an injectabl luteinizing hormone releasing hormone antagonist administered subcutaneously either every month or every 3 months) should monitor bone density by having a baseline DEXA bone density scan at inception and at 2 years and also Urine N-Telopeptide assay to monitor rate of loss of bone minerals due to medical menopause and estrogen blockade.

Results of Study

Researchers observed significant improvements in long-term distant recurrence-free interval (DRFI) for patients who received goserelin alone, tamoxifen alone, or the combination of goserelin and tamoxifen, when compared with patients who did not receive endocrine therapy. 

However, combination goserelin and tamoxifen did not improve DRFI when compared with either agent alone.

Researchers assessed the 20-year benefit of endocrine therapy by analyzing data from the Stockholm trial (1990-1997). The analysis included 584 patients with ER+ breast cancer. The median age at baseline was 47 (range, 26-55) years, 91% of patients had progesterone receptor-positive tumors, and 88% had HER2-negative tumors.

Patients were randomly assigned to 2 years of goserelin (n=155), tamoxifen (n=135), combined goserelin and tamoxifen (n=149), or no adjuvant endocrine therapy (n=145).

In a multivariable analysis, any endocrine therapy was associated with a significant improvement in long-term DRFI, when compared with no endocrine therapy. 

There was a significant improvement in DRFI with goserelin alone (hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32-0.75), tamoxifen alone (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.38-0.87), and goserelin plus tamoxifen (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.94). 

However, there was no significant long-term benefit from the combination of goserelin plus tamoxifen, when compared with either agent alone. There was a significant interaction between goserelin and tamoxifen (P =.016). 

The researchers also assessed the long-term benefit of endocrine therapy in patients with low genomic risk (n=305) and those with high genomic risk (n=158). 

Patients with low-risk genomics had a significant improvement in DRFI with tamoxifen (HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.10-0.60), and patients with high-risk genomics had a significant improvement in DRFI with goserelin (HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.10-0.54).

Patients with high-risk genomics had significantly worse DRFI when tamoxifen was added to goserelin (HR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.39-8.07). The interaction between goserelin and tamoxifen was significant in high-risk patients (P =.006) but not in low-risk patients (P =.080). 

“This study demonstrates long-term benefit from 2 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy in ER-positive premenopausal patients,” the researchers concluded. “Furthermore, it suggests long-lasting benefit from tamoxifen in genomic low-risk patients with long-term risk of distant recurrence, whereas genomic high-risk patients have early risk and benefit from goserelin.”

Isoflavones genistein and daidizen are phytochemicals derived from soy act  that act as MILD selective estrogen receptor modulators. These isoflavones need to be taken in very high doses on a long term basis to achieve a clinical impact and are mild in comparison to pharmaceuticals.  A recommended daily dose of genistein is 1000mg 3x/day

This study will help us support patients in making educated and informed choices and in making sure that their oncologists are practicing in accordance with the most current research and guidelines and that patients 

 

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The Connection Between Breast Cancer and The Environment

Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women.

Image Credit - Ribbon vector created by pikisuperstar - www.freepik.com

There is a continually expanding and compelling volume of data linking breast cancer to exposure to environmental toxins, radiation and endocrine disrupters lead to increased incidence of breast cancers.

When taking a thorough history of our patients we must include a review of their “Exposome”

Genetic and Genomic factors, Reproductive history, lifestyle factors such as weight, alcohol consumption, smoking and lack of physical exercise all contribute to increased risk profiles. Socioeconomic status as well as psychological health and resilience, all influence outcomes. Racial and ethnic minorities are often exposed to a disproportionately higher level of environmental toxins in the US. Immigrants may have lived in areas where there are no environmental regulations or controls.

Exposures to common chemicals found in products used every day contribute to a lifetime burden of toxic chemicals. The greatest rise in the incidence of breast cancers occurred in the decades after World War II when there were exponential increases in the use of herbicides, pesticides, plastics, cosmetics and body care products.

Cancer is often a perfect storm of genetics and environment. While studies are done on single agents, the reality is that we are living in a toxic chemical soup in modern life exposing us to a myriad of chemicals from multiple sources on a daily basis.

A common chemical BPA (Bisphenol A) is an endocrine disruptor. Exposure to BPA early in life contributes to breast displasias later in life due to its impact on mammary gland gene expression. BPA is found in plastics, linings of canned food containers and credit card receipts.

Limit exposure to plastics, polycarbonate food and water containers and canned foods to reduce BPA exposures. Breastfeeding women should be cautious as BPA is found in human breast milk.

Parabens, p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters, are widely used preservatives in personal care products and cosmetics. Parabens are endocrine disruptors. Parabens enable the Hallmarks of Cancer, characteristics of tumor cell survival and proliferation through multiple pathways. Parabens are also found in human breast milk. Parabens bind to estrogen receptors, inhibit apoptosis, promote proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis. A lifelong commitment to avoiding all products that contain parabens will dramatically reduce exposures. Many European countries have banned the use of parabens. European made products are often paraben free as well as select brands made in the US.

Visit the Environmental Working Group Cosmetics Data base https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ for a list of safe and not so safe products.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in P450 enzymes, particularly CYP1BI metabolism. Mulitple methylation pathways also influence detoxificaton pathways and estrogen metabolism.

A healthy microbiome, particularly rich in Bifidobacteria and butyrate support normal estrogen conjugation and excretion. MANY breast cancer treatments contribute to dysbiosis, increased inflammation and alterations in estrogen metabolism and mood.

Pelvic and Abdominal radiotherapy, surgeries, chemotherapy agents, steroids, antibiotics administered to cancer patients and compromise gut health, immunity and inflammation control. Increasing butryate in the intestines improves the health of the microbiome.

Butyrate and the health of intestinal microbiome can be easily increased by ingesting 6-8 grams of soluble fibers daily. The Onion-Garlic family and the Brassica-Cabblage family vegetables are high in soluble fibers.

The use of oral contraceptives, fertility drugs and hormone replacement therapy all alter breast tissue. Thus, medical care itself leads to nosocomial trends in breast cancer. Patients BEWARE!!!

Many pesticides and herbicides cause endocrine disruption. Commercial production of many animal food sources including the additional of estrogens and growth hormones to feed.

Patients should be well versed and take a tour of their home room by room to identify toxic, endocrine disrupting chemical exposures.

Patients can be overwhelmed when we give them a long list of products and foods to avoid.

In our clinic we employ nutritional health coaches to assist patients in successfully implementing a lifestyle and diet that reduces exposures to estrogenic environmental chemicals.

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