The Oasis of Hope cancer treatment Difference

Chapter 11: IRT Nutraceuticals for Specific Cancers

Not all cancers are alike. Each type of cancer has its own special properties. That’s why some phytonutrients have the potential to aid control of certain cancers, but not others. Thus, the Oasis of Hope IRT regimens include some agents that are used only for the treatment of one or several specific cancers. Agents that fall into this category include soy isoflavones, lycopene, pomegranate extract, coenzyme Q10, resveratol, curcumin, and biotin.

Soy Isoflavones

There are two types of estrogen receptors: alpha and beta (1). The alpha form of the receptor (ERalpha) tends to have growth promotional activity in tissues that express it. Thus, when estrogens activate ERalpha in breast or the uterus (endometrium), they promote proliferation and increase the risk that a cancer will arise in the stimulated tissue. Once a cancer does arise, estrogens tend to support the growth and survival of the cancer cells – at least until the tumor evolves to "estrogen independence". By way of contrast, the beta form of the estrogen receptor (ERbeta) tends to have anti-proliferative actions. In the tissues which express it, activation of ERbeta helps to prevent cancer, and, in cancers which express ERbeta, its activation tends to slow cancer spread and improve therapeutic response (2). There is however a tendency for expression of ERbeta to decline as cancers evolve over time. This adaptation likely reflects selection for more aggressive cancer cells (3-5).

Epithelial cells of the colon, prostate, and ovary tissues that express ERbeta are not usually thought of as estrogen responsive. The cancers that arise from these tissues often continue to express ERbeta, and can be controlled to some degree by estrogens which activate ERbeta (6-12). While it is well known that postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy increases risk for breast cancer, it is less appreciated that such therapy reduces risk for colorectal cancer. This presumably reflects the protective activity of ERbeta (13).

Using estrogenic drugs to control colorectal, prostate, or ovarian cancers is a less than ideal proposition. Such hormones would have feminizing effects in men and could increase risk for breast or uterine cancer in women. Thus, it is extremely fortunate that soy isoflavones preferentially activate ERbeta, in serum concentrations that can feasibly be achieved by heavy ingestion of soy products or the use of concentrated supplements, but that have very little impact on ERalpha (1,2). That's why soy-rich diets don’t feminize men, but still have "phytoestrogen" activity.

These considerations help to rationalize the numerous epidemiological studies which conclude that people whose diets are relatively rich in soy products are at lower risk for colorectal, prostate, or ovarian cancer (14-16). They also help to explain why diets high in soy or soy isoflavones tend to reduce the incidence of these cancers in carcinogen-treated rodents (17-19). Such diets also can inhibit the growth of transplanted human prostate tumors, and/or render these cancers more sensitive to control by chemo- or radiotherapy (20).

More importantly, several pilot clinical trials in men with prostate cancer and steadily rising PSA values have shown that soy isoflavones or a soy-rich diet can slow the rise in PSA in some instances causing a moderate temporary reduction in this biomarker (21).

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Lycopene

The role for dietary lycopene in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer was first suggested by epidemiological studies pointing to a decrease in risk for serious prostate cancer in men who consumed an ample amount of tomato products (22). Tomatoes are very rich in the carotenoid lycopene, and tomato products represent the chief source of lycopene in most diets. Subsequent studies showed that diets enriched in lycopene could slow the growth of transplanted human prostate cancers in mice (23). Moreover, two clinical reports from India indicate that surprisingly modest daily doses of lycopene can reduce or slow the rise in PSA in patients with metastatic prostate cancer (24,25). In a Dutch controlled clinical study targeting patients with rising PSA despite recent prostatectomy, a complex dietary supplement featuring lycopene, soy isoflavones, silymarin, and antioxidants was shown to slow the rate of PSA increase (26). All of these neutraceuticals are included in Oasis of Hope IRT regimens for prostate cancer. Another study showed that heavy consumption of tomato products by patients scheduled for prostatectomy can exert an antioxidant effect on the prostate, reducing the level of oxidatively damaged DNA (27). This suggests that lycopene, and perhaps other constituents in tomato sauce, may play a physiologically important role in protecting the prostate from oxidative damage.

Pomegranate Extract

The other tumor-specific nutraceutic that Oasis of Hope uses with prostate cancer patients is pomegranate extract. Although most pomegranate research has focused on potential benefits for cardiovascular health, the possibility that pomegranate extracts could influence the induction and growth of cancer is now receiving attention. Indeed, two recent studies have demonstrated that oral administration of pomegranate fruit extract can slow the growth of transplanted human prostate cancers (28,29). These favorable findings are now complemented by a recent clinical study in which patients with rising PSA values after initial treatment were asked to drink 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily. Subsequently, a marked slowing of tumor growth was observed (30). In light of these promising recent findings, the Oasis of Hope IRT protocols for prostate cancer patients now include pomegranate fruit extract daily.

Pomegranate extract may ultimately prove to have broader utility in cancer management. For example, there are recent reports that oral administration of pomegranate fruit extract slows the growth of a transplanted human lung cancer, as well as of lung cancers induced in mice by carcinogen pre-treatment (31,32). If further positive reports are forthcoming, we may broaden the use of pomegranate extract in Oasis of Hope IRT protocols.

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Coenzyme Q10

During the 1970s, the antioxidant nutrient coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) began to attract attention as a possible adjuvant for cancer therapy. This interest was prompted initially by several studies showing that CoQ supplementation could boost the function of macrophages, immune cells that help to recruit other types of immune cells that can attack cancers (33,34). Subsequently, physicians affiliated with CoQ expert Dr. Karl Folkers began to employ CoQ, in doses as high as 390 mg daily, in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Several of these patients were reported to experience complete or partial regression of metastases while on CoQ therapy (35,36). In addition, a study found that 38% of patients with metastatic breast cancer had serum levels of CoQ that were abnormally low (37).

Resveratrol

Another nutraceutical potentially useful in breast cancer is reveratrol. This phytonutrient, a key antioxidant in wine, is included in Synerpax, and is discussed elsewhere in that context. So far, the only type of transplanted human cancer that has been shown to respond to resveratrol is breast cancer (38).

Curcumin

Another key ingredient of Synerpax is curcumin. This phytonutrient seems likely to have its greatest impact on colorectal or intestinal cancers that are still in their original location, not having been removed surgically. Under these circumstances, curcumin may be able to reach some of the cancer cells before it has been extensively metabolized in the process of absorption.

Biotin

Oasis of Hope at-home supplementation for colorectal cancer includes high doses of the B vitamin biotin. This is because moderately high concentrations of this vitamin can activate the enzyme guanylate cyclase, which produces an intracellular regulatory compound called cyclic GMP (cGMP). Many studies show that cGMP slows the rate of proliferation of colon cancer cells, while increasing their tendency to "commit suicide" via apoptosis. Increased production of cGMP also appears likely to reduce risk for colorectal cancer. Why these beneficial effects of cGMP appear to be specific for colorectal cancer remains unclear.

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