Integrative cancer therapies
-
The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the use of mobile technologies to deliver health care. This new medical model has benefited integrative oncology (IO) consultations, where cancer patients are counseled about healthy lifestyle, non-pharmacological approaches for symptom management, and addressing questions around natural products and other integrative modalities. Here we report the feasibility of conducting IO physician consultations via telehealth in 2020 and compare patient characteristics to prior in-person consultations conducted in 2019. ⋯ Delivering IO consultations using telehealth is feasible and meets patients' needs. Compared to patients seen in-person during 2019, patients having telehealth IO consultations in 2020 reported lower symptom burden and more concerns about lifestyle and herbs and supplements. Additional research is warranted to explore the satisfaction and challenges among patients receiving telehealth IO care.
-
Co-therapy with herbal extracts along with current clinical drugs is being increasingly recognized as a useful complementary treatment for cancer. The anti-cancer property of the phyto-derivative acetyl-11 keto β boswellic acid (AKBA) has been studied in many cancers, including prostate cancer. However, the whole extract of the gum resin Boswellia serrata (BS) and anti-androgen enzalutamide has not been explored in prostate cancer to date. ⋯ Furthermore, the combination reduced the PSA level secreted by the cells. In contrast, AKBA could not achieve the needed synergism for adequate cell killing at equivalent concentrations. The combination of enzalutamide and BS extract containing 30% AKBA because of their synergistic interaction is an attractive therapeutic option for treating early stage (hormone-dependent) prostate cancer and is superior to the use of AKBA alone.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Electroacupuncture Plus Auricular Acupressure for Chemotherapy-Associated Insomnia in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Chemotherapy-associated insomnia is a highly prevalent complaint in breast cancer patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of electroacupuncture plus auricular acupressure for chemotherapy-associated insomnia in patients with breast cancer. ⋯ NCT03762694.
-
In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects of the Pleurotus highking mushroom on the human triple-negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and HCC-1937 and attempted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. The antiproliferative effects of P. highking purified fraction-III (PEF-III) were investigated using colony formation and MTS assays. The antimigratory effects of PEF-III were determined by wound healing, transwell migration, and matrigel cell invasion assays. ⋯ It also significantly reduced the mRNA expression of Ki-67, MMP-9, and vimentin in the PEF-III-treated tumor-sphere cells. PEF-III exerted promising antiproliferative and antimigratory effects in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines by suppressing Akt signaling. Therefore, P. highking mushrooms may be considered a potential source for the development of potent anticancer drug(s) for the treatment of breast cancer.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Exercise Adherence and Effect of Self-Regulatory Behavior Change Techniques in Patients Undergoing Curative Cancer Treatment: Secondary Analysis from the Phys-Can Randomized Controlled Trial.
Adherence to exercise interventions in patients with cancer is often poorly described. Further, it is unclear if self-regulatory behavior change techniques (BCTs) can improve exercise adherence in cancer populations. We aimed to (1) describe exercise adherence in terms of frequency, intensity, time, type (FITT-principles) and dropouts, and (2) determine the effect of specific self-regulatory BCTs on exercise adherence in patients participating in an exercise intervention during curative cancer treatment. ⋯ An exercise adherence rate ≥50% for each FITT-principle and dropout rates at ~30% can be expected among patients taking part in long-term exercise interventions, combining resistance and endurance training during curative cancer treatment. Our results indicate that self-regulatory BCTs do not improve exercise adherence in interventions that provide evidence-based support to all participants (e.g., supervised group sessions).