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Using Phytochemicals

Using Phytochemicals Synergistically with Chemotherapy to Improve Efficacy and Outcomes

 

The role of polyphenols in overcoming drug resistance. 

In a paper published in January 2022, Maleki Dana et al, engage in a thorough review of multiple polyphenols which, when used concurrently with chemotherapy, can inhibit the development of chemo-resistance, rendering treatment more effective and for a longer duration of time.    

Most oncologists are wary of negative drug-herb, drug nutrient interactions. 

 

polyphenols-fruits

This review shows that we can use polyphenol phytochemicals synergistically with chemotherapy treatments to support efficacy and outcomes.

 

The Outsmart Cancer® System is an Integrative Cancer Care model seeking to develop highly individualized care plans that include the best therapeutic approaches and tools from multiple disciplines, combining a disease focused targeted pathology model with a whole biosystem health model to support the best outcomes for patients.

 

Acquired drug resistance has become a challenge that may result in treatment failure.  Multiple factors contribute to chemo-resistance in cancer cells. Acquired drug resistance occurs when cancer cells fail to respond to a previously effective treatment.  Intrinsic  chemo-resistance occurs when a pre-existing factor causes a drug to be inefficient or ineffective.

 

Due to the inherent heterogeneity of tumors, subpopulations of cells may develop resistance while other subpopulations remain sensitive to treatment.  

This is the rationale for using multiple agents which impact multiple signally pathways and receptors to target a wide array of heterogeneous cells.  This is also the rationale for using multiple nutriceuticals, botanicals and phytochemicals concurrently to address multiple signaling pathways and functions.

In this excellent review paper the author focuses on the multiple synergistic functions of polyphenols citing multiple studies.

 

Polyphenols from medicinal plants and food plants form a large part of our Materia Medica. Polyphenols include several subclasses such as catechins, flavonoids, flavones, flavonols, anthocyanins, isoflavones, curcuminoids, chalcones and phenolic acids. These natural compounds are widely found found in deeply pigmented fruits, vegetables, cocoa, seeds and green and black teas,

 

Not only do polyphenols inhibit multiple pathways and mechanisms of drug resistance, but also act to  confront many of the Hallmarks of Cancer, thus inhibiting and controlling the activity and viability of malignant cells.

 

The multiple functional roles of

  • Resveratrol
  • EGCG Epigallocatechin gallate
  • Curcumin 

are discussed and examined in depth examining multiple pathways, mechanisms of action and dosing.

Also discussed are additional well researched polyphenols, many of which are sourced from food plants as well as medicinal plants including

  • Quercetin 
  • Baicalin
  • Baicalien
  • Apigenin
  • Chrysin
  • Luteolin
  • Kaempferol

Mechanisms which lead to drug resistance in tumor cells

Malignant cells are highly adaptive and respond to toxic stressors such as chemotherapeutic drugs in the tumor micro-environment in service to their own survival.  Essential malignant cells are “smart” and they can not only co-opt normal physiologic and metabolic functions within cells to respond to the presence of toxic drug therapies.

  • Decreased Drug Uptake by tumor cells
  • Drug Efflux from tumor cells (membrane pumps)
  • Alterations in drug metabolism
  • Epigenetic Modification and Signaling
  • Inhibition of Programmed Cell death via apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis in tumor cells
  • Alterations in DNA repair 
  • Activity of Cancer Stem Cells
  • Redox Capacity of cells in response to oxidative stress
  • Alterations in Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Invasion and Metastatic Progression

Not only are polyphenols capable of addressing the common Hallmarks of Cancer, but they can also inhibit the multiple ways that malignant cells seek to survive in the face of drug therapies.  

 

Therefore, we should strategically combine chemo-therapeutic  agents with selected polyphenols to both enhance therapeutic effect as well as inhibit the development of drug resistance. 

 

This leads to greater therapeutic benefit, increased duration of action as well as skillful management of adverse effects.

I encourage you to read this paper in detail for a deep and detailed review of the mechanisms of these pleomorphic multitaskers polyphenols.  The polyphenols mentioned in this paper have a history of wide use and safety.

 

Our role is to both eradicate and inhibit neoplastic cells as well as nurture and support the health of the patient.  This is at the heart of the OutSmart Cancer® System.

 

References

 

The Role of Polyphenols in Overcoming Cancer Drug Resistance: A Comprehensive Review 

Maleki Dana et al

Cellular and Molecular Biology Letters (2022) 27:1

https://doi.org/10.1186/s11658-021-00301-9

 

Hallmarks of Cancer: The Next Generation

Douglas Hanahan, Robert A. Weinberg, 2011

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2011.02.013

 

Revisiting the hallmarks of cancer

Fouad YA, Aanei C.. Am J Cancer Res. 2017 May 1;7(5):1016-1036. PMID: 28560055; PMCID: PMC5446472.

 

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Clinical Pearl-cancer

Clinical Pearl: Chemotherapy Reduces Magnesium to Dangerously Low Levels

 

Hypomagnesia occurs in 29-100% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Magnesium deficiency is common in cancer patients, especially those receiving chemotherapy.  Magnesium is the second most abundant intracellular cation after potassium. It is involved in >600 enzymatic reactions in the body.

Hypomagnesia induces  fatigue , mitochondropathy (compromised mitochondrial function )and risk for neuropathy, nephropathy as well as abnormal cardiovascular function (arrhythmia, hypertension) immune dysfunction, headache and altered bone and Vitamin D metabolism.  Hypomagnesia is associated with nausea, vomiting, headache, myalgia, constipation, anxiety, insomnia and depression, all common complaints of cancer patients.

Long term and extreme hypomagnesia promotes cancer treatment related fatigue, cortical blindness, insulin resistance, prolonged QT interval, hypertension, seizures, tremor, psychiatric disturbances, migraine headaches and is associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Magnesium status declines with age.

As cancer patients are typically over 50 years old, hypomagnesia may be present long before diagnosis. Pre-menopausal women and athletes also have higher needs of magnesium and may be deficient. 

This may influence the tumor microenvironment towards carcinogenesis, tumorogenesis, proliferation and progression.

Both oral and intravenous repletion relieve many of the hypomagnesia related adverse effects.

Adverse effects can be prevented by supplementing with magnesium in advance of as well as after chemotherapy. In a health model, keep patients replete with Magnesium at times to optimize function, prevent deficiency syndromes and adverse symptoms of chemotherapy.

Monitoring and Management of Magnesium Status

All patient care plans include oral Magnesium Glycinate Chelate

Daily Dose: 600-900mg daily in capsule, liquid or powder form

(Glycinate and Bis-Glycinate chelates are more well absorbed and less likely to have a laxative effect than other forms of magnesium chelate). Excess oral magnesium can lead to diarrhea. Spread out oral dosing over 3-4 doses per day to achieve repletion without loose stool.

Extreme Hypomagnesia can be quickly repleted by intravenous infusion.

All patients are monitored for Serum RBC Magnesium to assess magnesium status every 3-6 months long-term and monthly during active chemotherapy.

Serum Magnesium is not a reliable indicator of Magnesium deficiency.

 

Dietary Sources of Magnesium include:

Almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, cocoa, avocados, dark leafy greens, seaweed

 

Chemotherapeutic agents that induce hypomagnesia:

Platinum Chemotherapy Agents : Oxaliplatin, Cisplatin, Carboplatin and

Taxanes:  paclitaxel (Taxol) nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane), docetaxel (Taxotere),Cabazitaxel (Jevtana).

Vinca alkaloids vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, and vinorelbine.

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Biomarker Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase Predicts Cancer Progression and Overall Survival

Aberrant metabolism and inefficient fuel production are characteristic of tumor cells, which are dominated by aerobic glycolysis, increased lactate production, and a higher uptake of glucose (the Warburg effect). Elevated LDH is a marker of these aberrant metabolic processes in cancer cells. High serum LDH levels are associated with poor prognosis in patients with cancer and predict progression and overall survival.

Aerobic glycolysis was described for the first time about a century ago by Otto H. Warburg who showed that cancer cells metabolize glucose differently than normal cells (Warburg effect) and that tumors derive energy mainly from the conversion of glucose to lactic acid and minimally via cellular respiration involving oxygen. Tumors produce massive amounts of the aerobic glycolysis waste product, lactic acid. This is evidence of deregulated metabolism, hence the understanding of cancer as a  “disorder of cellular metabolism”.  Lactic Acid itself may promote the growth and spread of cancer cells, especially at high concentrations by changing the tumor microenvironment.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of pyruvate to lactate at the end of the glycolytic pathway.

The normal range for LDH is 100-333 u/L, with levels greater than 245 u/L considered to be in the upper quartile of normal.  Elevated LDH, above 245 u/L, is suggestive of early carcinogenesis, tumor cell proliferation, tumor progression, and poor prognosis.

LDH is often highly elevated in aggressive forms of cancer and hematological malignancies including melanoma, lymphoma, acute leukemia, seminoma germ cell, pancreatic, gastric, lung, renal cell, nasopharyngeal, esophageal, cervical, and prostate cancers.

The OutSmart Cancer System® recognizes cancer as a metabolic syndrome and leverages the abnormal metabolism of tumor cells to exert influence over the tumor microenvironment and the behavior of tumor cells. Attending to the Cancer Terrain is a fundamental approach for influencing cancer cell metabolism.  

EGCG, a catechin found in Green Tea (H. Camellia sinensis) has been identified as an agent which inhibits LDH activity in normal and low oxygen environments by influencing the conversion of pyruvate to lactate at the end of the glycolytic pathway.  This may deprive cancer cells of their preferred fuel, glucose, and metabolites, including lactate that produces a favorable environment for malignant proliferation, growth, and progression. Recommended Therapeutic Dose 1-3 grams daily.

Monitoring trends in LDH is a method of both identifying abnormal cellular metabolism found in many solid and hematologic malignancies and is also of value in identifying early signs of recurrence as well as disease progression.

For patients achieving remission, during the first two years after completion of cancer treatment, LDH and other biomarkers of the Cancer Terrain are monitored every 3 months.  Thereafter, every six months for 3-10 more years to track and identify early signs of recurrence.  

For patients living with cancer as a chronic illness, LDH and biomarkers of the Cancer Terrain are monitored every 3 months to track evidence of recurrence and treatment resistance.

 

Learn more about monitoring the Cancer Terrain and the Tumor Microenvironment.
Receive training in Dr. Nalini’s OUTSMART CANCER SYSTEM ®. www.aiiore.com

By using biomarkers of the Cancer Terrain and cellular metabolism, it is possible to identify trends that allow for early intervention. LDH is one of the most valuable and reliable biomarkers reflecting the active presence of the aberrant physiology of tumor cells and is prognostic and predictive of progression and overall survival in cancer patients.

 

Selected References:

Oral Cancer AIIORE Blog

Phytochemicals in Oral Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Oral cancers originate in the oral cavity and may spread to the neck and throat and local lymph nodes and can metastasize. These cancers are most commonly squamous cell carcinomas and are often very aggressive.

Cancers of the oral cavity, head, and neck are linked to drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, betel nut chewing, human papillomavirus infection, and nutritional deficiencies.

Phytochemicals are a useful adjunct therapy for both prevention and therapy.

The continuous increase in cancer cases, the failure of conventional chemotherapies, and the excessive toxicity of chemotherapies demand alternative cancer treatments.

Phytochemicals can inhibit or antagonize factors, which are dysregulated in cancer cells and may enhance the effects of conventional therapy or could be developed into a stand-alone therapy*

Phytochemicals may exert their chemopreventive properties by blocking the critical events of tumor initiation and promotion, thereby reversing the premalignant stage. Phytochemicals may also prevent tumorigenesis by inhibiting or slowing tumor progression or promoting cell differentiation. Furthermore, phytochemicals can enhance innate immune surveillance and improve the elimination of transformed cells.”**

Phytochemicals that impact multiple pathways active in the development, growth, progression, and spread of oral cancers include

Phytochemicals in Oral Cancer
  • Black Raspberry anthocyanins
  • Green Tea Catechins (EGCG, EGC, ECG)
  • Curcuma longa (curcuminoids) (tumeric)
  • Alliums: Garlic and Onions (allicin, s-allylcysteine)
  • Resveratrol 3,4’,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene
  • Lycopene carotenoid (tomatoes, red bell peppers)
  • Astaxaxanthin and Canthaxanthin  carotenoid xanthophylls  (green leafy vegetables)
  • Bromelain cysteine protease (pineapple)

For a detailed and thorough discussion of risk factors, etiologies, signs and symptoms, histopathology, molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions in oral, head, and neck cancers see: 

*Tzu-Ying Lee , Yu-Hsin Tseng Review : Biomolecules  The Potential of Phytochemicals in Oral Cancer Prevention and Therapy: A Review of the Evidence 2020 Aug 6;10(8):1150. doi: 10.3390/biom10081150

** Kotecha R., Takami A., Espinoza J.L. Dietary phytochemicals and cancer chemoprevention: A review of the clinical evidence. Oncotarget. 2016;7:52517–52529. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.9593.

 

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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OutSmart Cancer Care Planner

Let The Oncologist Be The Disease Expert. Become The Health Expert That Cancer Patients Are Looking For.

You may not treat cancer in your practice, but you do have patients who are at risk due to personal and family history, patients who may be undergoing or recovering from treatments, patients who are survivors worried about recurrence and patients living with cancer as a chronic illness.  And you may also have patients who are family members concerned about their loved ones. 

 

There is no HEALTH MODEL in conventional oncology care, yet health and wellbeing, peace of mind and sense of agency are in the center of the hearts and minds of cancer patients, cancer survivors and their families. 

 

There will be 19 million cancer survivors in the US alone by 2024.  Who is supporting their health?  Who is trained to help them recover and keep them well??  …not the oncologist.

 

How can you help these patients?

A  breast cancer survivor who successfully completed her treatments 8 years ago comes into your office as a new patient complaining of persistent peripheral neuropathy and ongoing cognitive changes since her treatment.  How can you resolve these long-term adverse effects?

 

An ovarian cancer patient currently undergoing aggressive treatment every 21 days comes into your office complaining of severe diarrhea, neuropathy and sleep disruption.  What can you do to help her get through her treatments with less adverse effects, maintain her weight and nutritional status?

 

A colorectal cancer survivor who completed his treatment 3 months ago is continuing to have 10-15 bowel movements daily and is profoundly fatigued.  What will you do to restore normal bowel function?


A prostate cancer patient on endocrine blockade therapy is suffering from hot flashes. Should you also be concerned about loss of bone mass and sleep cycle disruption?

 

An endometrial cancer survivor is suffering from dermatitis and colitis, adverse effects of her dramatically successful immunotherapy treatment and now has chronic autoimmune inflammation. How will you manage this?

 

A head and neck cancer patient who has trouble swallowing is losing weight and muscle mass.


How can you provide a plan for repair from oral mucositis, restoration of the oral mircrobiome and repletion of calories and nutrients?

 

These patients are searching for clinicians that can guide and support them through every phase of their cancer journey.  Just as in helping your patients navigate other chronic illnesses, patients look to you for a plan, for monitoring and guidance so that they can maintain and regain their health during and after their treatments.

 

When a patient has a collaborative team providing integrative care everyone wins, the patients, families and care providers.  Patients who have a clear plan and support have the opportunity for better outcomes, better prognosis, greater peace of mind, a sense of control and agency and an improved quality of life. 

 

Let the oncologist be the cancer expert. You can be the health expert on their team.

 

Standard of care in oncology must  change such that care includes not only a team of disease experts (usually medical oncologist, surgeon, radiologist) but ALSO a team of health experts.

 

Towards this end  I founded the American Institute of Integrative Oncology Research and Education and  have created an online self-paced training program for front line clinicians who want to expand their skills and their practice and  fill the huge need in our communities and serve these patients.  If you did not specialize in oncology, you probably had one course on this topic but you need to fill the gap in your training to feel confident in doing so.

 

The Foundations of Integrative Oncology Training is not for clinicians who want to practice oncology.  It is front-line clinicians who want to feel confident, knowledgeable and well trained in supporting the health side of the cancer equation. This self- paced online training is for clinicians who want to increase their impact, expand and grow their practice and represents 35 years of clinical practice and experience.

 

The first step is learning how to take a comprehensive and complete history of patients whose lives have been touched by cancer.  

 

You can receive a complimentary copy of the

OUTSMART CANCER CARE PLANNER History and Intake Form

and learn more about the Foundations of Integrative Oncology training here

 

OutSmart Cancer Care Planner

What If Every Cancer Patient Had a Health Plan and not Just a Disease Plan

What If Every Cancer Patient Had A Plan For Health And Not Just Plan For Disease?

“An integrative health focused cancer support plan should begin at diagnosis and persist through long term healthy survivorship and promote a body where cancer cannot thrive.”

 

By the year 2024 there will be over twenty million cancer survivors in the US alone. This rapidly growing population of survivors obliges all frontline clinicians to learn how to support patients at every stage of the cancer journey.  Read more