Integrative cancer therapies
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Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels out of the preexisting vascular network and involves a sequence of events that are of key importance in a broad array of physiological and pathological processes. The growth of tumor and metastasis are dependent on the formation of new blood vessels. The present study therefore aims at evaluating the antiangiogenic effect of beta-carotene using in vivo and in vitro models. ⋯ Beta-carotene treatment downregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, prolyl hydroxylase, and lysyl oxidase gene expression and upregulates the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2. The study reveals that beta-carotene treatment could alter proinflammatory cytokine production and could inhibit the activation and nuclear translocation of p65, p50, c-Rel subunits of nuclear factor-kappa B, and other transcription factors such as c-fos, activated transcription factor-2, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein in B16F-10 melanoma cells. These observations show that beta -carotene exerts its antiangiogenic effect by altering the cytokine profile and could inhibit the activation and nuclear translocation of transcription factors.
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This study was an investigation of the antimetastatic activity of amentoflavone using B16F-10 melanoma-induced experimental lung metastasis in C57BL/6 mice. Amentoflavone treatment significantly reduced tumor nodule formation accompanied by reduced lung collagen hydroxyproline, hexosamine, and uronic acid levels. Serum sialic acid and gammaglutamyl transpeptidase levels were also significantly inhibited after amentoflavone treatment. ⋯ The cytokine profile and growth factors such as interleukin-1beta , interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, granulocyte monocyte- colony stimulating factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-2, and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1 in the serum of these animals were markedly altered after amentoflavone treatment. This altered level of cytokines after amentoflavone treatment was also accompanied by enhanced natural killer cell antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The study reveals that amentoflavone treatment could alter proinflammatory cytokine production and could inhibit the activation and nuclear translocation of p65, p50, c-Rel subunits of nuclear factor-kappaB, and other transcription factors such as c-fos, activated transcription factor-2, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein in B16F-10 melanoma cells.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Pilot crossover trial of Reiki versus rest for treating cancer-related fatigue.
Fatigue is an extremely common side effect experienced during cancer treatment and recovery. Limited research has investigated strategies stemming from complementary and alternative medicine to reduce cancer-related fatigue. This research examined the effects of Reiki, a type of energy touch therapy, on fatigue, pain, anxiety, and overall quality of life. ⋯ In addition, participants in the Reiki condition experienced significant improvements in quality of life (FACT-G) compared to those in the resting condition (P <.05). On daily assessments (ESAS) in the Reiki condition, presession 1 versus postsession 5 scores indicated significant decreases in tiredness (P <.001), pain (P <.005), and anxiety (P<.01), which were not seen in the resting condition. Future research should further investigate the impact of Reiki using more highly controlled designs that include a sham Reiki condition and larger sample sizes.
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To review the available literature on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for cancer-related fatigue with an aim to develop directions for future research. ⋯ Currently, insufficient data exist to recommend any specific CAM modality for cancer-related fatigue. Therefore, potentially effective CAM interventions ready for further study in large, randomized clinical trials (eg, acupuncture, massage, levocarnitine, and the use of mistletoe) should be pursued. Other interventions should be tested in well-designed feasibility and phase II trials.
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The role of spirituality in patients' use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches to cancer management has hardly been explored. ⋯ These findings indicate that spiritual beliefs and practices may play an important role in the formation of treatment choices for some patients. Health care providers need to be aware of and address patient concerns about how conventional treatment may conflict with their spiritual beliefs and practices. Further research and medical education is needed on spirituality and prostate cancer.