Integrative Cancer Therapies

INTRODUCTION: Although breast cancer is common worldwide, if diagnosed early and treated on time, the probability of recovery is high and patients often experience a long life. Reducing the quality of life is a common side effect in patients. Melatonin may have an important role in fatigue, sleep disorders and, as a result, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people. About 184 patients with breast cancer were enrolled in 2 groups: intervention with daily melatonin intake of 18 mg for 3 years (93 patients) and the control group with placebo intake (91 patients)...

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of Reishimmune-S, a fungal immunomodulatory peptide, on the quality of life (QoL) and natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations in patients receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) for breast cancer (BC). METHODS: Patients who received adjuvant ET for stage I-III hormone receptor-positive BC without active infection were enrolled in this prospective pilot study. Reishimmune-S was administered sublingually daily for 6 months...

BACKGROUND: Irinotecan is widely used in the treatment of various solid tumors, but the adverse effects from it, especially diarrhea, limit its use. Several clinical trials of prophylactic treatment of irinotecan-induced diarrhea (IID) have been ongoing, and some of the data are controversial. This encouraged us to conduct a meta-analysis of the effects of interventions on preventing IID. METHOD: This systematic review was conducted based on the PRISMA statement...

Patients with intermediate-high risk MGUS are not offered therapeutic options to date and standard of care remains observation with re-evaluations of the patient every 3 to 6 months. Given the persistent risk of progression as well as potential complications experienced by some, and anxiety experienced by most patients, early intervention with non-toxic curcumin, aimed at potentially slowing down or stopping disease progression might be therapeutic. We present here an intermediate-high risk MGUS patient who has been taking curcumin for 16 years and has shown a decrease in disease markers and an increase in uninvolved immunoglobulins, adding to the body of evidence of benefit of curcumin to MGUS patients...

BACKGROUND: Health behaviors, such as diet and exercise, are actions individuals take that can potentially impact gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and the gut microbiota. Little is known about how health behaviors impact GI symptoms and the gut microbiota after anti-cancer therapies. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study that investigated relationships between GI symptoms, gut microbiota, and patient-reported outcomes in adult cancer survivors...

BACKGROUND: Postoperative non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients frequently encounter a deteriorated quality of life (QOL), disturbed immune response, and disordered homeostasis. Si-Jun-Zi Decoction (SJZD), a well-known traditional Chinese herbal formula, is frequently employed in clinical application for many years. Exploration is underway to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of SJZD for treating postoperative NSCLC. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of SJZD on QOLs, hematological parameters, and regulations of gut microbiota in postoperative NSCLC patients...

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most prevalent and distressing side effects of chemotherapy among patients with cancer worldwide. Despite continuing advances in antiemetic medicines, nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy remain a substantial therapeutic concern for many patients. However, P6 and Auricular acupressure (AA) have been recognized as potential therapy for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of P6 and Auricular acupressure (AA) in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among patients with cancer...

BACKGROUND: In the era of precision medicine, individual temperature sensitivity has been highlighted. This trait has traditionally been used for cold-heat pattern identification to understand the inherent physical characteristics, which are influenced by genetic factors, of an individual. However, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on this trait are limited. METHODS: Using genotype data from 90 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and epidermal growth factor receptor mutations, we performed a GWAS to assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and temperature sensitivity, such as cold and heat scores...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this overview is to assess systematic reviews (SRs)/ meta-analyses (MAs) of Huachansu (HCS) combination chemotherapy for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and provide summarized evidence for clinical decision making. METHODS: From the creation of the database to JUNE 2023, 8 databases in English and Chinese were searched. SRs/MAs that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Two reviewers independently screened research, extracted data and assessed methodological quality, risk of bias, report quality and evidence quality by using relevant criteria from AMSTAR-2, ROBIS scale, PRISMA, and GRADE system...

BACKGROUND: Siwu Decoction (SWD) is a well-known classical TCM formula that has been shown to be effective as a basis for preventing and reducing liver metastases (LM). However, the active ingredients and potential molecular mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically analyze the active ingredients and potential molecular mechanisms of SWD on LM and validate mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active ingredients in SWD were extracted by UHPLC-MS/MS in a latest study...

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver cancer. Anomianthus dulcis (Dunal) J.Sinclair (syn. Uvaria dulcis ) has been used in Thai traditional medicine in various therapeutic indications. Phytochemical constituents of A. dulcis have been isolated and identified. However, their effects on liver cancer and the associated mechanisms have not been elucidated. METHODS: Dry flowers of A. dulcis were extracted using organic solvents, and chromatographic methods were used to purify the secondary metabolites...

Jixueteng, the vine of the bush Spatholobus suberectus Dunn., is widely used to treat irregular menstruation and arthralgia. Yinyanghuo, the aboveground part of the plant Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., has the function of warming the kidney to invigorate yang. This research aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of the Jixueteng and Yinyanghuo herbal pair (JYHP) on cisplatin-induced myelosuppression in a mice model. Firstly, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) screened 15 effective compounds of JYHP decoction...

BACKGROUND: In the East African region, herbal plants are essential in the treatment and control of cancer. Given the diverse ecological and cultural makeup of the regional states, it is likely that different ethnic groups will use the same or different plants for the same or different diseases. However, since 2019, this has not been compiled into a single study. PURPOSE: The study aimed to compile and record the medicinal plants utilized in East Africa from April 2019 to June 2023 to treat various cancer types...

BACKGROUND: The surgical intervention serves as the paramount and prevalent remedy for individuals afflicted with colorectal malignancies, with the significance of perioperative stewardship and convalescence being indisputable. Prehabilitation coupled with preoperative lifestyle modulation has demonstrated efficacy in patients subjected to certain classifications of abdominal procedures. However, the evidence pertaining to its impact on those battling colorectal cancer remains equivocal...

Chemotherapy-induced leukopenia is a common side effect of cytotoxic anticancer drugs. It can deprive patients of treatment opportunities, resulting in the delay, reduction, or discontinuation of chemotherapy or other anticancer drug administration. Two researchers searched English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean electronic databases, without limiting the time period and language, using search terms such as "Bojungikgi," "WBC," "leuko," and "neutrop." Among the human randomized controlled studies in which Bojungikgi-tang was administered to patients who underwent chemotherapy, studies reporting leukopenia-related outcomes were selected, and data extraction, bias risk assessment, and meta-analysis were performed on the selected papers...

PURPOSE: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can have a long-term impact on patients' sexual functioning and consequently, their relationship satisfaction. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a 5-session psychosexual intervention for HSCT survivors and their partners. METHODS: To be eligible patients were required to be more than 3 months post-allogeneic HSCT. The intervention comprised 2 components: (1) A psychosexual education session exploring medical/behavioral treatment options for sexual dysfunction, delivered by a specialist nurse; (2) A 4-session Emotionally-Focused Therapy-based relationship education program for couples delivered by a clinical psychologist...

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common clinical malignant tumor of the digestive system. Hu-Qi-Zheng-Xiao (HQZX) decoction has been clinically found to prolong the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and improve the quality of patients' survival, but its antitumor biological mechanism is still unclear. METHODS: A nude mouse hollow fiber hepatocellular carcinoma model was constructed to analyze the in vivo efficacy of HQZX decoction against 7 different hepatocellular carcinoma cells...

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a chronic condition associated with a substantial symptom burden, which can impair recovery after treatment. Investigating interventions with potential to improve self-reported disease and/or treatment effects-known as patient-reported outcomes (PROs)-is paramount to inform cancer care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a yoga therapy (YT) intervention on key PROs (ie, cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, cognitive function, depression, stress, quality of life [QoL]) among adults after treatment for cancer...

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and most patients experience fatigue. However, there are no effective treatments for cancer-related fatigue (CRF). Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have suggested that moxibustion improves CRF. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the differences in fatigue scale scores, quality of life, and clinical efficacy in patients with breast cancer who developed CRF and did versus did not receive moxibustion...

BACKGROUND: Soothing the liver (called Shu Gan Jie Yu in Chinese, SGJY) is a significant therapeutic method for breast cancer in TCM. In this study, 3 liver-soothing herbs, including Cyperus rotundus L., Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle and Rosa rugosa Thunb. were selected and combined to form a SGJY herbal combinatory. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the inhibiting effect of SGJY on breast cancer in vivo and vitro, and to explore the potential mechanisms...