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Smorodin E, Chuzmarov V, Veidebaum T. The Potential of Integrative Cancer Treatment Using Melatonin and the Challenge of Heterogeneity in Population-Based Studies: A Case Report of Colon Cancer and a Literature Review. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:1994-2023. [PMID: 38668052 PMCID: PMC11049198 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31040149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a multifunctional hormone regulator that maintains homeostasis through circadian rhythms, and desynchronization of these rhythms can lead to gastrointestinal disorders and increase the risk of cancer. Preliminary clinical studies have shown that exogenous melatonin alleviates the harmful effects of anticancer therapy and improves quality of life, but the results are still inconclusive due to the heterogeneity of the studies. A personalized approach to testing clinical parameters and response to integrative treatment with nontoxic and bioavailable melatonin in patient-centered N-of-1 studies deserves greater attention. This clinical case of colon cancer analyzes and discusses the tumor pathology, the adverse effects of chemotherapy, and the dynamics of markers of inflammation (NLR, LMR, and PLR ratios), tumors (CEA, CA 19-9, and PSA), and hemostasis (D-dimer and activated partial thromboplastin time). The patient took melatonin during and after chemotherapy, nutrients (zinc, selenium, vitamin D, green tea, and taxifolin), and aspirin after chemotherapy. The patient's PSA levels decreased during CT combined with melatonin (19 mg/day), and melatonin normalized inflammatory markers and alleviated symptoms of polyneuropathy but did not help with thrombocytopenia. The results are analyzed and discussed in the context of the literature on oncostatic and systemic effects, alleviating therapy-mediated adverse effects, association with survival, and N-of-1 studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugeniy Smorodin
- Department of Chronic Diseases, National Institute for Health Development, Paldiski mnt 80, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia;
| | - Valentin Chuzmarov
- 2nd Surgery Department, General Surgery and Oncology Surgery Centre, North Estonia Medical Centre, J. Sütiste Str. 19, 13419 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Toomas Veidebaum
- Department of Chronic Diseases, National Institute for Health Development, Paldiski mnt 80, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia;
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ChemoSensitivity Assay Guided Metronomic Chemotherapy Is Safe and Effective for Treating Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122906. [PMID: 35740571 PMCID: PMC9220997 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Innovative chemotherapy regimens and tools to guide therapy in advanced pancreatic cancer are greatly needed. We present results of a study combining an innovative, metronomic chemotherapy strategy together with a blood-based pharmacogenomic tool to guide effective drug therapy. This study provides proof of principle that guided, metronomic chemotherapy for treatment of pancreatic cancer is a promising approach. Abstract Cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Emerging studies support metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) as effective, challenging established paradigms of dosing and schedules. The blood-based ChemoSensitivity Assay has been shown to predict response and survival in advanced PDAC patients treated with standard chemotherapy. The current study combines these concepts for a highly personalized treatment approach. This was a retrospective analysis; a pilot (n = 50) and validation cohort (n = 45) were studied. The ChemoSensitivity Assay was performed at baseline and during therapy; results were correlated to drugs administered and patient outcomes. MCT was administered based on the assay results at the treating physician′s discretion. Patients in the pilot cohort experienced favorable survival compared with historical controls (median overall survival (mOS) 16.8 mo). Patients whose treatment closely matched the ChemoSensitivity Assay predictions experienced longer median time on lines of therapy (5.3 vs. 3.3 mo, p = 0.02) and showed a trend for longer mOS (20.9 vs. 12.5 mo, p = 0.055) compared with those not closely matched. These findings were confirmed in the validation cohort. Overall, patients treated with MCT closely matching Assay results experienced a remarkable mOS of 27.7 mo. ChemoSensitivity profiling-guided MCT is a promising approach for personalized therapy in advanced PDAC.
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Peristeri DV, Tepelenis K, Karampa A, Kapodistrias N, Goussia AC, Pappas-Gogos G, Glantzounis GK. Metronomic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular cancer: A case report. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021; 72:103043. [PMID: 34868572 PMCID: PMC8626568 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction and importance Metronomic chemotherapy entails chronic, equally spaced administration of low doses of various chemotherapeutic drugs without extended rest periods. Its use as a second-line treatment in advanced or metastatic hepatocellular cancer remains under investigation. Case presentation We report a case of a 49-year-old Caucasian female patient with an enlarged (∼14 cm) hepatocellular cancer. In July 2016, she underwent right hepatectomy (after preceding TACE). During the follow-up period, she presented early disease recurrence with lung and peritoneal metastasis. Initially, she received an inhibitor of protein kinase (sorafenib) for six months without response. Afterwards, cyclophosphamide administration at low doses as metronomic chemotherapy provided complete regression of the metastatic lesions. The patient remains in good performance status almost 4 years after initial treatment, without signs of recurrence in her recent follow-up. Clinical discussion Using cyclophosphamide as metronomic chemotherapy in advanced hepatocellular cancer may have a promising antiangiogenic antitumor effect. Future clinical trials need to demonstrate this effect in terms of tumor suppression and increased disease-free survival. Conclusion Large multi-centered clinical trials have to be planned to investigate the precise role of cyclophosphamide in the therapy of hepatocellular cancer while defining the patients’ profile that will benefit most from cyclophosphamide. MET is well tolerated and demonstrated modest activity in advanced/metastatic HCC. Studies in mice have shown promising results for both advanced and early-stage HCC. Cyclophosphamide has demonstrated antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory effects. It may prevent tumor resistance. Its beneficial efficacy in HCC is not fully determined in clinical practice yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra V Peristeri
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Ioannina and School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Kostas Tepelenis
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Ioannina and School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Anastasia Karampa
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Ioannina and School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Anna C Goussia
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Ioannina and School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - George Pappas-Gogos
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Ioannina and School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Georgios K Glantzounis
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Ioannina and School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Su NW, Chen YJ. Metronomic Therapy in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10132818. [PMID: 34206730 PMCID: PMC8269021 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10132818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Metronomic therapy is characterized by drug administration in a low-dose, repeated, and regular manner without prolonged drug-free interval. The two main anticancer mechanisms of metronomic therapy are antiangiogenesis and immunomodulation, which have been demonstrated in several delicate in vitro and in vivo experiments. In contrast to the traditional maximum tolerated dose (MTD) dosing of chemotherapy, metronomic therapy possesses comparative efficacy but greatlydecreases the incidence and severity of treatment side-effects. Clinical trials of metronomic anticancer treatment have revealed promising results in a variety cancer types and specific patient populations such as the elderly and pediatric malignancies. Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is an important health issue in many areas around the world. Long-term survival is about 50% in locally advanced disease despite having high-intensity treatment combined surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In this article, we review and summarize the essence of metronomic therapy and focus on its applications in OCSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-Wen Su
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Taipei City 10449, Taiwan;
- Department of Nursing, MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei City 112021, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Chen
- Department of Nursing, MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei City 112021, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, No. 45, Minsheng Rd., Tamsui District, New Taipei City 25160, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-2809-4661
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Anti-Cancer Treatment Strategies in the Older Population: Time to Test More? Geriatrics (Basel) 2021; 6:geriatrics6020042. [PMID: 33921136 PMCID: PMC8167638 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics6020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is a well-recognized risk factor for the development of cancer. The incidence of new cancer diagnoses has increased globally given the rising senior population. Many hypotheses for this increased risk have been postulated over decades, including increased genetic and epigenetic mutations and the concept of immunosenescence. The optimal treatment strategies for this population with cancer are unclear. Older cancer patients are traditionally under-represented in clinical trials developed to set the standard of care, leading to undertreatment or increased toxicity. With this background, it is crucial to investigate new opportunities that belong to the most recent findings of an anti-cancer agent, such as immune-checkpoint inhibitors, to manage these daily clinical issues and eventually combine them with alternative administration strategies of antiblastic drugs such as metronomic chemotherapy.
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Filippi R, Lombardi P, Quarà V, Fenocchio E, Aimar G, Milanesio M, Leone F, Aglietta M. Pharmacotherapeutic options for biliary tract cancer: current standard of care and new perspectives. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2019; 20:2121-2137. [PMID: 31550186 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2019.1667335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Biliary tract cancer (BTC), which comprises gallbladder cancer, ampullary cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare and heterogeneous entity, with limited approved therapeutic options. However, interest in this disease has grown exponentially in recent years, as a mounting body of evidence has shed light on the complex molecular and microenvironmental background of BTC, and clinical investigations have explored a variety of new agents and combinations, with promising results.Areas covered: This review describes the standard of care in advanced BTC and summarizes the most recent evidence available on the pharmacological treatment of resected and advanced disease, focusing on chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.Expert opinion: The therapeutic armamentarium of BTC has made radical progress after almost a decade of very few positive results. Phase-III evidence now supports the use of adjuvant capecitabine after resection of localized disease, while investigations into improved regimens in the advanced setting are underway, exploring alternative options to the standard gemcitabine-cisplatin doublet. The first positive phase-III trial supports the use of the mFOLFOX6 regimen as a second-line chemotherapy. Targeted therapy against specific genomic alterations can combine with chemotherapy in specific subsets of patients. Despite recent advancements, conducting clinical trials for BTC is still a real challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Filippi
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Pasquale Lombardi
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Virginia Quarà
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Fenocchio
- Multidisciplinary Outpatient Oncology Clinic, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Giacomo Aimar
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Michela Milanesio
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Francesco Leone
- Medical Oncology, Ospedale degli Infermi, Azienda Sanitaria Locale di Biella, Biella, Italy
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
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