Metastasis is a multistep process, which refers to the ability to leave a primary tumor through circulation toward the distant tissue and form a secondary tumor. Bone is a common site of metastasis, in which osteolytic and osteoblastic metastasis are observed. Signaling pathways, chemokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules, and cellular interactions as well as miRNAs have been known to play an important role in the development of bone metastasis. These factors provide an appropriate environment (soil) for growth and survival of metastatic tumor cells (seed) in bone marrow microenvironment. Recognition of these factors and determination of their individual roles in the development of metastasis and disruption of cellular interactions can provide important therapeutic targets for treatment of these patients, which can also be used as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. Thus, in this paper, we have attempted to highlight the molecular regulation of bone marrow metastasis in prostate and breast cancers.

Concerns about vitamin D deficiency rose when further research revealed cancer patients had lower levels of serum 25(OH)D (25-hydroxyvitamin D), and study subjects using vitamin D had lower rates of cancers and fewer markers of inflammation (Neuhouser et al., 2008; Mohr et al., 2014). Considerable data propose that the adding calcitriol to several chemotherapy regimens

Background: Cancer affects the physical, psychological, and social aspects of the patients’ life. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common and severe condition among cancer patients. Ginseng has long been used as an efficient treatment for CRF and improvement of quality of life (QOL). The present study aims to assess the efficacy of Panax Ginseng (PG) in reducing CRF in patients with non-metastatic cancer. In addition, the safety of the medication is evaluated. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective clinical trial conducted on the patients (n=113) suffering from non-metastatic colon cancer (age range: 20-70 years old) referring to the Shafa Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran for chemotherapy treatment. After the chemotherapy sessions, the patients were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received daily dose of 100 mg PG for 30 days and the second group received placebo medication. The demographic information and clinical parameters of the patients including age, sex, weight, symptoms of fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, and pain were measured pre and post intervention. Afterwards, the variables were compared in each group and between the groups. Results: Results of study showed that the ginseng improved the quality of life and mood in the subjects. (P<0.0001) and no difference was observed in the placebo group (P=0.887). Conclusion: The use of ginseng may can effective on reducing CRF and the associated symptoms in the patients with cancer, but further studies should be conducted for the evaluation of comprehensive therapeutic efficacy.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is one of the most severe complications of cancer drug therapies causing a number of problems for patients and making treatment limitation decisions problematic. One of the most important drugs used in breast cancer chemotherapy regimens, Taxol is considered as the most common cause of neuropathy in such cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin E on reducing the Taxol-induced neuropathy development among patients with breast cancer. Methods: The randomized clinical trial (RCT) included 70 patients with breast cancer who received Taxol chemotherapy regimens. They were assigned to one of the two groups: a group without vitamin E feeding (Group I) and a group with vitamin E treatment at a daily dose of 400 IU bid (Group II). Electrophysiological testing of all patients was performed before starting medications and again 3 months post-treatment. The data were compared between the groups. Results: Vitamin E feeding had no significant effect on amplitude, latency, and CV of tibial and peroneal nerves (P > 0.05), while the delta amplitude of sural nerve was significantly lower among patients taking vitamin E supplements (P = 0.007). Conclusion:We suggest the inhibitory effect of vitamin E on the progression of Taxol-induced neuropathy, by slowing the speed of progression, among breast cancer patients by improving the function of the nervous system.

PURPOSE: Comparison of two safe complementary medicine methods to treat cancer-related pain and fatigue in adult patients with acute leukemia during active treatment with chemotherapy. METHODS: A randomized trial with three groups (light massage, music therapy, and standard care) in Ahvaz, Iran, between 2018 and 2019. A total of 104 participants of the massage and music therapy groups received 15-minute intervention sessions, thrice weekly for 4 weeks, and participants of the control group received standard care. Cancer-related pain and fatigue intensity were measured by numeric self-report rating scales. During the 4 weeks of the interventions, pain and fatigue intensity were measured weekly. All the groups were followed up for 2 weeks after the end of the intervention. RESULTS: Pain and fatigue intensity decreased significantly over time between the intervention groups compared with the standard care group. In the massage and music therapy groups, a progressive reduction of pain and fatigue intensity over time (from the baseline to the fourth week) was observed. Fatigue intensity did not differ between the two intervention groups. Pain intensity decreased more in the massage group compared with the music therapy group. The durable effects of the massage therapy were greater compared with the music therapy 2 weeks after the intervention was completed. CONCLUSION: Light massage was more effective and persisted longer than the music therapy for controlling leukemia-related pain and fatigue in adult patients with acute leukemia.