The Use of Dietary Supplements in Oncology

Frenkel, Moshe; Sierpina, Victor S.

doi:10.1007/s11912-014-0411-3

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Since a clear, official definition of dietary supplements does not currently exist in Japan, many dietary supplements claim to treat specific diseases, especially cancer, even though such claims are illegal. Previous studies reported that between 20% and 90% of cancer patients used dietary supplements as complementary and alternative medicines, not only in Japan [ 20 ], but also in other countries [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Furthermore, since dietary supplements are available as capsules or tablets, they have the appearance of medicines and, thus, are often considered to be as effective as medicines.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concomitant Use of Dietary Supplements and Medicines in Patients due to Miscommunication with Physicians in Japan

et al. 2015

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We previously reported that some patients used dietary supplements with their medication without consulting with physicians. Dietary supplements and medicines may interact with each other when used concomitantly, resulting in health problems. An Internet survey was conducted on 2109 people who concomitantly took dietary supplements and medicines in order to address dietary supplement usage in people who regularly take medicines in Japan. A total of 1508 patients (two admitted patients and 1506 ambulatory patients) and 601 non-patients, who were not consulting with physicians, participated in this study. Purpose for dietary supplement use was different among ages. Dietary supplements were used to treat diseases in 4.0% of non-patients and 11.9% of patients, while 10.8% of patients used dietary supplements to treat the same diseases as their medication. However, 70.3% of patients did not declare dietary supplement use to their physicians or pharmacists because they considered the concomitant use of dietary supplements and medicines to be safe. A total of 8.4% of all subjects realized the potential for adverse effects associated with dietary supplements. The incidence of adverse events was higher in patients who used dietary supplements to treat their disease. Communication between patients and physicians is important for avoiding the adverse effects associated with the concomitant use of dietary supplements and medicines.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concomitant Use of Dietary Supplements and Medicines in Patients due to Miscommunication with Physicians in Japan

et al. 2015

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“…According to different studies, cancer patients use CAM to sustain physical well-being by reducing symptoms of their disease and alleviating side effects of conventional treatments to actively participate in and contribute to the cure of their cancer by supporting their body and immune system, to prevent later recurrence of the disease, or even to control the growth of abnormal cells and cure their cancer [ 46 , 47 , 90 ]. Considering a possible dissatisfaction with conventional therapies, the decision for alternative treatments—which are misperceived as safe therapies with few side effects—also reflects a desire for less toxic treatments [ 28 , 33 , 91 ].…”

Section: Systematic Review On the Self-administered Use Of Cam Supple...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Self-Administered Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Supplements and Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy and the Critical Role of Nrf-2—A Systematic Review

Kuchheuser

Birringer

2022

Antioxidants

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Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) supplements are widely used by cancer patients. Dietary supplements, vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, and antioxidants are especially popular. In a systematic literature review, 37 studies, each including more than 1000 participants, on CAM, dietary supplement, and vitamin use among cancer patients were identified. Accordingly, cancer patients use antioxidants such as vitamin C (from 2.6% (United Kingdom) to 41.6% (United States)) and vitamin E (from 2.9% (China) to 48% (United States)). Dietary supplements and vitamins are taken for different reasons, but often during conventional cancer treatment involving chemotherapy or radiotherapy and in a self-decided manner without seeking medical advice from healthcare professionals. Drug–drug interactions with dietary supplements or vitamins involving multiple signaling pathways are well described. Since most of the anticancer drugs generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), an adaptive stress response of healthy and malignant cells, mainly driven by the Nrf-2-Keap I network, can be observed. On the one hand, healthy cells should be protected from ROS-overproducing chemotherapy and radiotherapy; on the other hand, ROS production in cancer cells is a “desirable side effect” during anticancer drug treatment. We here describe the paradoxical use of antioxidants and supplements during cancer therapy, possible interactions with anticancer drugs, and the involvement of the Nrf-2 transcription factor.

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“…Although our proposed approach has many potential advantages, there are challenges to conducting validating clinical studies. First, there is a shortage of funding for this type of initiative due to lack of patentability, manufacturing difficulties, contamination, and lack of product consistency [82] . Second, the use of NHPs among cancer patients is quite common.…”

Section: Tissue Invasion and Metastasismentioning

confidence: 99%

Tackling heterogeneity in treatment-resistant breast cancer using a broad-spectrum therapeutic approach

Lowe¹,

LaValley²,

Felsher³

2022

Cancer Drug Resist

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Tumor heterogeneity can contribute to the development of therapeutic resistance in cancer, including advanced breast cancers. The object of the Halifax project was to identify new treatments that would address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance through tumor heterogeneity by uncovering combinations of therapeutics that could target the hallmarks of cancer rather than focusing on individual gene products. A taskforce of 180 cancer researchers, used molecular profiling to highlight key targets responsible for each of the hallmarks of cancer and then find existing therapeutic agents that could be used to reach those targets with limited toxicity. In many cases, natural health products and re-purposed pharmaceuticals were identified as potential agents. Hence, by combining the molecular profiling of tumors with therapeutics that target the hallmark features of cancer, the heterogeneity of advanced-stage breast cancers can be addressed.

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The Use of Dietary Supplements in Oncology

Cited by 11 publications

References 28 publications

Concomitant Use of Dietary Supplements and Medicines in Patients due to Miscommunication with Physicians in Japan

Concomitant Use of Dietary Supplements and Medicines in Patients due to Miscommunication with Physicians in Japan

The Self-Administered Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Supplements and Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy and the Critical Role of Nrf-2—A Systematic Review

Tackling heterogeneity in treatment-resistant breast cancer using a broad-spectrum therapeutic approach

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