1
|
Mizzoni D, Logozzi M, Di Raimo R, Spada M, Fais S. Hydrogen-Rich Alkaline Water Supplementation Restores a Healthy State and Redox Balance in H 2O 2-Treated Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6736. [PMID: 38928440 PMCID: PMC11203767 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126736] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Water is a major requirement for our bodies, and alkaline water has induced an antioxidant response in a model of natural aging. A series of recent reports have shown that aging is related to reduced water intake. Hydrogen-rich water has been suggested to exert a general antioxidant effect in relation to both improving lifestyle and preventing a series of diseases. Here, we wanted to investigate the effect of the daily intake of hydrogen-rich alkaline water (HAW) in counteracting the redox imbalance induced in a model of H2O2-treated mice. Mice were treated with H2O2 for two weeks and either left untreated or supplied with HAW. The results show that HAW induced a reduction in the ROS plasmatic levels that was consistent with the increase in the circulating glutathione. At the same time, the reduction in plasmatic 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine was associated with reduced DNA damage in the whole body. Further analysis of the spleen and bone marrow cells showed a reduced ROS content consistent with a significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide accumulation and an increase in spontaneous proliferation. This study provides evidence for a clear preventive and curative effect of HAW in a condition of systemic toxic condition and redox imbalance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Mizzoni
- Exo Lab Italia, Tecnopolo d’Abruzzo, Strada Statale 17, Località Boschetto di Pile, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.M.); (R.D.R.)
| | - Mariantonia Logozzi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rossella Di Raimo
- Exo Lab Italia, Tecnopolo d’Abruzzo, Strada Statale 17, Località Boschetto di Pile, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.M.); (R.D.R.)
| | - Massimo Spada
- Department of Centro Nazionale Sperimentazione e Benessere Animale, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Stefano Fais
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Isowa M, Hamaguchi R, Narui R, Morikawa H, Okamoto T, Wada H. Exploring the Potential Use of Natural Products Together with Alkalization in Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:787. [PMID: 38931908 PMCID: PMC11207558 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatment is a significant focus in medicine, owing to the increasing global incidence of cancers. Patients with advanced cancers that do not respond to conventional therapies have limited options and an unfavorable prognosis. Consequently, researchers are investigating complementary approaches to conventional treatments. One such approach is alkalization therapy, which aims to neutralize the acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) by increasing its pH level. The acidic TME promotes inflammation, tumor progression, and drug resistance. Alkalization therapy has been demonstrated to be effective for various cancers. In addition, natural products, such as triterpenoids, parthenolides, fulvic acid, Taxus yunnanensis, and apple pectin have the potential to alleviate symptoms, maintain physical fitness, and improve treatment outcomes of cancer patients through their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. In this review, we focus on the effects of alkalization therapy and natural products on cancer. Furthermore, we present a case series of advanced cancer patients who received alkalization therapy and natural products alongside standard treatments, resulting in long-term survival. We posit that alkalization therapy together with supplementation with natural products may confer benefits to cancer patients, by mitigating the side effects of chemotherapy and complementing standard treatments. However, further research is warranted to validate these clinical findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masahide Isowa
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, 119 Nishioshikouji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842, Japan; (M.I.); (R.N.); (H.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Reo Hamaguchi
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, 119 Nishioshikouji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842, Japan; (M.I.); (R.N.); (H.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Ryoko Narui
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, 119 Nishioshikouji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842, Japan; (M.I.); (R.N.); (H.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Hiromasa Morikawa
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, 119 Nishioshikouji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842, Japan; (M.I.); (R.N.); (H.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Toshihiro Okamoto
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
| | - Hiromi Wada
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, 119 Nishioshikouji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842, Japan; (M.I.); (R.N.); (H.M.); (H.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Isowa M, Hamaguchi R, Narui R, Morikawa H, Okamoto T, Wada H. Potential of Alkalization Therapy for the Management of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Study. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:61. [PMID: 38201489 PMCID: PMC10777900 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Current treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer offer limited benefits. In this study, we applied alkalization therapy, which was efficacious for other solid tumors at our clinic, to stage 4 pancreatic cancer patients, and investigated its effect on disease prognosis. Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who were treated at Karasuma Wada Clinic in Kyoto, Japan, between January 2011 and April 2022, were included in the study. All patients received alkalization therapy (a combination of an alkaline diet, bicarbonate, and citric acid administration), alongside standard chemotherapy. Urine samples were collected to assess urine pH as a marker of whole-body alkalization. In the 98 patients analyzed, the median overall survival (OS) from the time of diagnosis was 13.2 months. Patients with a mean urine pH of 7.5 or greater had a median OS of 29.9 months, compared with 15.2 months for those with a mean urine pH of 6.5 to 7.5, and 8.0 months for those with a mean urine pH of less than 6.5, which suggests a trend of a longer OS in patients with a higher urine pH (p = 0.0639). Alkalization therapy may offer a viable approach to extending the survival of stage 4 pancreatic cancer patients, who typically have an unfavorable prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masahide Isowa
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, 119 Nishioshikouji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842, Japan; (M.I.); (R.N.); (H.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Reo Hamaguchi
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, 119 Nishioshikouji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842, Japan; (M.I.); (R.N.); (H.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Ryoko Narui
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, 119 Nishioshikouji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842, Japan; (M.I.); (R.N.); (H.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Hiromasa Morikawa
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, 119 Nishioshikouji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842, Japan; (M.I.); (R.N.); (H.M.); (H.W.)
| | - Toshihiro Okamoto
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
- Department of Inflammation and Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Transplant Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Hiromi Wada
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, 119 Nishioshikouji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0842, Japan; (M.I.); (R.N.); (H.M.); (H.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Isowa M, Hamaguchi R, Narui R, Morikawa H, Wada H. Effects of alkalization therapy on hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1179049. [PMID: 37313464 PMCID: PMC10258336 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1179049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, is difficult to prevent recurrence even when remission is achieved. In addition, even with the advent of drugs that are effective for the treatment of HCC, a satisfactory extension of patient survival has not been achieved. To overcome this situation, we hypothesized that the combination of alkalization therapy with standard treatments will improve the prognosis of HCC. We here report the clinical results of HCC patients treated with alkalization therapy at our clinic. Patients and methods Patients with HCC treated at Karasuma Wada Clinic (in Kyoto, Japan), from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2020 were analyzed. Overall survival (OS) from both the time of diagnosis and the start of alkalization therapy for each patient was compared. The mean urine pH was also calculated as a surrogate marker of tumor microenvironment pH, and OS from the start of alkalization therapy was compared between patients with a mean urine pH of ≥ 7.0 and those with a mean urine pH of < 7.0. Results Twenty-three men and six women were included in the analysis, with a mean age at diagnosis of 64.1 years (range: 37-87 years). Seven of the 29 patients had extrahepatic metastases. Patients were divided into two groups according to their mean urine pH after the initiation of alkalization therapy: 12 of the 29 patients had a mean urine pH of ≥ 7.0, and 17 had a mean urine pH of < 7.0. The median OS from diagnosis was 95.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 24.7-not reached), and from the start of alkalization therapy was 42.3 months (95% CI = 8.93-not reached). The median OS from the start of alkalization therapy in patients with a urine pH of ≥ 7.0 was not reached (n = 12, 95% CI = 3.0-not reached), which was significantly longer than that in patients with a pH of < 7.0 (15.4 months, n = 17, 95% CI = 5.8-not reached, p < 0.05). Conclusions The addition of alkalization therapy to standard therapies may be associated with more favorable outcomes in HCC patients with increased urine pH after alkalization therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Reo Hamaguchi
- Japanese Society on Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chaudhary B, Kumar P, Arya P, Singla D, Kumar V, Kumar D, S R, Wadhwa S, Gulati M, Singh SK, Dua K, Gupta G, Gupta MM. Recent Developments in the Study of the Microenvironment of Cancer and Drug Delivery. Curr Drug Metab 2023; 23:CDM-EPUB-128715. [PMID: 36627789 DOI: 10.2174/1389200224666230110145513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is characterized by disrupted molecular variables caused by cells that deviate from regular signal transduction. The uncontrolled segment of such cancerous cells annihilates most of the tissues that contact them. Gene therapy, immunotherapy, and nanotechnology advancements have resulted in novel strategies for anticancer drug delivery. Furthermore, diverse dispersion of nanoparticles in normal stroma cells adversely affects the healthy cells and disrupts the crosstalk of tumour stroma. It can contribute to cancer cell progression inhibition and, conversely, to acquired resistance, enabling cancer cell metastasis and proliferation. The tumour's microenvironment is critical in controlling the dispersion and physiological activities of nano-chemotherapeutics which is one of the targeted drug therapy. As it is one of the methods of treating cancer that involves the use of medications or other substances to specifically target and kill off certain subsets of malignant cells. A targeted therapy may be administered alone or in addition to more conventional methods of care like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. The tumour microenvironment, stromatogenesis, barriers and advancement in the drug delivery system across tumour tissue are summarised in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benu Chaudhary
- Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy, Yamunanagar, Haryana, India
| | - Parveen Kumar
- Shri Ram College of Pharmacy, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Preeti Arya
- Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy, Yamunanagar, Haryana, India
| | - Deepak Singla
- Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy, Yamunanagar, Haryana, India
| | - Virender Kumar
- Swami Dayanand post graduate institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Davinder Kumar
- Swami Dayanand post graduate institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Roshan S
- Deccan College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sheetu Wadhwa
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Monica Gulati
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
- Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
- Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura, Mahal Road, Jaipur, India
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Madan Mohan Gupta
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad &Tobago, WI
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
Significance: Cancer-associated tissue-specific lactic acidosis stimulates and mediates tumor invasion and metastasis and is druggable. Rarely, malignancy causes systemic lactic acidosis, the role of which is poorly understood. Recent Advances: The understanding of the role of lactate has shifted dramatically since its discovery. Long recognized as only a waste product, lactate has become known as an alternative metabolism substrate and a secreted nutrient that is exchanged between the tumor and the microenvironment. Tissue-specific lactic acidosis is targeted to improve the host body's anticancer defense and serves as a tool that allows the targeting of anticancer compounds. Systemic lactic acidosis is associated with poor survival. In patients with solid cancer, systemic lactic acidosis is associated with an extremely poor prognosis, as revealed by the analysis of 57 published cases in this study. Although it is considered a pathology worth treating, targeting systemic lactic acidosis in patients with solid cancer is usually inefficient. Critical Issues: Research gaps include simple questions, such as the unknown nuclear pH of the cancer cells and its effects on chemotherapy outcomes, pH sensitivity of glycosylation in cancer cells, in vivo mechanisms of response to acidosis in the absence of lactate, and overinterpretation of in vitro results that were obtained by using cells that were not preadapted to acidic environments. Future Directions: Numerous metabolism-targeting anticancer compounds induce lactatemia, lactic acidosis, or other types of acidosis. Their potential to induce acidic environments is largely overlooked, although the acidosis might contribute to a substantial portion of the observed clinical effects. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 1130-1152.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petr Heneberg
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gillies RJ, Ibrahim-Hashim A, Ordway B, Gatenby RA. Back to basic: Trials and tribulations of alkalizing agents in cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:981718. [PMID: 36452492 PMCID: PMC9702334 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.981718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED "Dysregulated" metabolism is a characteristic of the cancer cell phenotype. This includes persistent use of glycolytic metabolism in normoxic environments (Warburg effect) leading to increased acid production and accumulation of protons in the interstitial space. Although often thought to be disordered, altered cancer metabolism is the outcome of intense Darwinian selection and, thus, must have evolved to maximize cancer cell fitness. In an evolutionary context, cancer-induced acidification of the microenvironment represents a niche construction strategy to promote proliferation. Ecological advantages conferred on the cancer population included remodeling of the extracellular matrix to promote local invasion, suppression of potential competitive proliferation of fibroblasts, and suppression of host immune response. Preclinical data demonstrates that increasing the serum buffering capacity (through, for example, oral sodium bicarbonate and TRIS) can neutralize the acidic tumor microenvironment with inhibition local invasion and proliferation which can be synergistic with the effects of chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents. Here, we describe the proton dynamics in cancer and their influence on tumor progression and metastasis. Additionally, we will discuss targeting the tumor acidosis with alkalizing agents including our bicarbonate clinical trial results. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT01350583, NCT01198821 and NCT01846429.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Gillies
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Arig Ibrahim-Hashim
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Bryce Ordway
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Robert A. Gatenby
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rentzeperis F, Miller N, Ibrahim-Hashim A, Gillies RJ, Gatenby RA, Wallace D. A simulation of parental and glycolytic tumor phenotype competition predicts observed responses to pH changes and increased glycolysis after anti-VEGF therapy. Math Biosci 2022; 352:108909. [PMID: 36108797 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2022.108909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Clinical cancers are typically spatially and temporally heterogeneous, containing multiple microenvironmental habitats and diverse phenotypes and/or genotypes, which can interact through resource competition and direct or indirect interference. A common intratumoral evolutionary pathway, probably initiated as adaptation to hypoxia, leads to the "Warburg phenotype" which maintains high glycolytic rates and acid production, even in normoxic conditions. Since individual cancer cells are the unit of Darwinian selection, intraspecific competition dominates intratumoral evolution. Thus, elements of the Warburg phenotype become key "strategies" in competition with cancer cell populations that retain the metabolism of the parental normal cells. Here we model the complex interactions of cell populations with Warburg and parental phenotypes as they compete for access to vasculature, while subject to direct interference by Warburg-related acidosis. In this competitive environment, vasculature delivers nutrients, removes acid and necrotic detritus, and responds to signaling molecules (VEGF and TNF-α). The model is built in a nested fashion and growth parameters are derived from monolayer, spheroid, and xenograft experiments on prostate cancer. The resulting model of in vivo tumor growth reaches a steady state, displaying linear growth and coexistence of both glycolytic and parental phenotypes consistent with experimental observations. The model predicts that increasing tumor pH sufficiently early can arrest the development of the glycolytic phenotype, while decreasing tumor pH accelerates this evolution and increases VEGF production. The model's predicted dual effects of VEGF blockers in decreasing tumor growth while increasing the glycolytic fraction of tumor cells has potential implications for optimizing angiogenic inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frederika Rentzeperis
- Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College, 1145 Hinman, Hanover, 03755-3551, NH, USA.
| | - Naomi Miller
- Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College, 1145 Hinman, Hanover, 03755-3551, NH, USA
| | - Arig Ibrahim-Hashim
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Robert J Gillies
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Robert A Gatenby
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Dorothy Wallace
- Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College, 1145 Hinman, Hanover, 03755-3551, NH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wada H, Hamaguchi R, Narui R, Morikawa H. Meaning and Significance of “Alkalization Therapy for Cancer”. Front Oncol 2022; 12:920843. [PMID: 35965526 PMCID: PMC9364696 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.920843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives of the Study Our research aims to answer the following questions. Can cancer progression be stopped by changing the body condition of person with cancer? Can cancer be cured?If cancer progression can be stopped, what is the underlying mechanism? Theoretical Rationale for Alkalization Therapy Almost 70 years ago, Goldblatt H. & Cameron G. reported on the idea of alkalization therapy. Before that, Otto Warburg had been studying the metabolism of cancer and had discovered the essential nature of cancer. He published a review in Science in 1956 under the title “On the origin of cancer cells”. From his phenomena described above, we established the theoretical rationale for alkalization therapy, based on the question of “How does cancer form and what is its nature”? Limitations of Deductive Methods and Inductive Approaches In this paper, we describe a method to reconstruct the limitations and weaknesses of modern cancer medicine as Science-based Medicine using an inductive method, and to present a new vision of cancer therapy. How should we treat cancer? (Case presentation): Using a specific clinical case, we present patients in whom were successfully treated with no or few anticancer drugs. Summary The biggest weakness of current cancer treatments is that they only treat the cancer and not the actual patient. The “alkalization therapy” that we advocate does not compete with any of the current standard treatments, but improves the effectiveness of standard treatments, reduces side effects, and lowers medical costs.
Collapse
|
10
|
Investigation on the Effects and Mechanisms of Alkaline Natural Mineral Water and Distilled Water on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers In Vivo and In Vitro. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10030498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have proven that alkaline water has a protective effect on gastric diseases. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear. Moreover, in some countries, especially in China, purified water (distilled water) is also an important form of drinking water, while its protective effect on gastric diseases is still unknown. This study aimed to compare the effects of distilled water (pH = 5.6 ± 0.3) and alkaline natural mineral water (pH = 9.3 ± 0.6) on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice and to further clarify the underlying mechanisms. Pepsin activity, prostaglandin E-2 (PGE2) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the oxidative stress pathway related proteins such as nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) were measured. After alkaline natural mineral water treatment, the levels of PGE2 and HSP70 were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Antioxidant indexes (SOD, GSH, and MDA) and Western blot results (Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1) showed that alkaline natural mineral water did not alleviate gastric ulcers by improving oxidative stress. Pepsin activity assay displayed that the pepsin activity was significantly declined after alkaline natural mineral water treatment compared with the distilled water treatment (p < 0.05). This study indicated that alkaline natural mineral water may alleviate the ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice by inhibiting the pepsin activity and increasing the levels of PGE2 and HSP70.
Collapse
|
11
|
Halcrow PW, Geiger JD, Chen X. Overcoming Chemoresistance: Altering pH of Cellular Compartments by Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:627639. [PMID: 33634129 PMCID: PMC7900406 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.627639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to the anti-cancer effects of chemotherapeutic agents (chemoresistance) is a major issue for people living with cancer and their providers. A diverse set of cellular and inter-organellar signaling changes have been implicated in chemoresistance, but it is still unclear what processes lead to chemoresistance and effective strategies to overcome chemoresistance are lacking. The anti-malaria drugs, chloroquine (CQ) and its derivative hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are being used for the treatment of various cancers and CQ and HCQ are used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs to enhance their anti-cancer effects. The widely accepted anti-cancer effect of CQ and HCQ is their ability to inhibit autophagic flux. As diprotic weak bases, CQ and HCQ preferentially accumulate in acidic organelles and neutralize their luminal pH. In addition, CQ and HCQ acidify the cytosolic and extracellular environments; processes implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer. Thus, the anti-cancer effects of CQ and HCQ extend beyond autophagy inhibition. The present review summarizes effects of CQ, HCQ and proton pump inhibitors on pH of various cellular compartments and discuss potential mechanisms underlying their pH-dependent anti-cancer effects. The mechanisms considered here include their ability to de-acidify lysosomes and inhibit autophagosome lysosome fusion, to de-acidify Golgi apparatus and secretory vesicles thus affecting secretion, and to acidify cytoplasm thus disturbing aerobic metabolism. Further, we review the ability of these agents to prevent chemotherapeutic drugs from accumulating in acidic organelles and altering their cytosolic concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xuesong Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Logozzi M, Mizzoni D, Di Raimo R, Andreotti M, Macchia D, Spada M, Fais S. In vivo antiaging effects of alkaline water supplementation. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2020; 35:657-664. [PMID: 32106720 PMCID: PMC7054916 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1733547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres length and telomerase activity are currently considered aging molecular stigmata. Water is a major requirement for our body and water should be alkaline. Recent reports have shown that aging is related to a reduced water intake. We wanted to investigate the effect of the daily intake of alkaline water on the molecular hallmark of aging and the anti-oxidant response. We watered a mouse model of aging with or without alkaline supplementation. After 10 months, we obtained the blood, the bone marrow and the ovaries from both groups. In the blood, we measured the levels of ROS, SOD-1, GSH, and the telomerase activity and analysed the bone marrow and the ovaries for the telomeres length. We found reduced ROS levels and increased SOD-1, GSH, telomerase activity and telomeres length in alkaline supplemented mice. We show here that watering by using alkaline water supplementation highly improves aging at the molecular level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariantonia Logozzi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Mizzoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Di Raimo
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Andreotti
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Macchia
- Center of Animal research and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Spada
- Center of Animal research and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Fais
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Carraro U. Thirty years of translational research in Mobility Medicine: Collection of abstracts of the 2020 Padua Muscle Days. Eur J Transl Myol 2020; 30:8826. [PMID: 32499887 PMCID: PMC7254447 DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2019.8826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
More than half a century of skeletal muscle research is continuing at Padua University (Italy) under the auspices of the Interdepartmental Research Centre of Myology (CIR-Myo), the European Journal of Translational Myology (EJTM) and recently also with the support of the A&CM-C Foundation for Translational Myology, Padova, Italy. The Volume 30(1), 2020 of the EJTM opens with the collection of abstracts for the conference "2020 Padua Muscle Days: Mobility Medicine 30 years of Translational Research". This is an international conference that will be held between March 18-21, 2020 in Euganei Hills and Padova in Italy. The abstracts are excellent examples of translational research and of the multidimensional approaches that are needed to classify and manage (in both the acute and chronic phases) diseases of Mobility that span from neurologic, metabolic and traumatic syndromes to the biological process of aging. One of the typical aim of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is indeed to reduce pain and increase mobility enough to enable impaired persons to walk freely, garden, and drive again. The excellent contents of this Collection of Abstracts reflect the high scientific caliber of researchers and clinicians who are eager to present their results at the PaduaMuscleDays. A series of EJTM Communications will also add to this preliminary evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Carraro
- Interdepartmental Research Centre of Myology (CIR-Myo), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
- A&C M-C Foundation for Translational Myology, Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lin Y, Zhao X, Miao Z, Ling Z, Wei X, Pu J, Hou J, Shen B. Data-driven translational prostate cancer research: from biomarker discovery to clinical decision. J Transl Med 2020; 18:119. [PMID: 32143723 PMCID: PMC7060655 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02281-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignant tumor with increasing incidence and high heterogeneity among males worldwide. In the era of big data and artificial intelligence, the paradigm of biomarker discovery is shifting from traditional experimental and small data-based identification toward big data-driven and systems-level screening. Complex interactions between genetic factors and environmental effects provide opportunities for systems modeling of PCa genesis and evolution. We hereby review the current research frontiers in informatics for PCa clinical translation. First, the heterogeneity and complexity in PCa development and clinical theranostics are introduced to raise the concern for PCa systems biology studies. Then biomarkers and risk factors ranging from molecular alternations to clinical phenotype and lifestyle changes are explicated for PCa personalized management. Methodologies and applications for multi-dimensional data integration and computational modeling are discussed. The future perspectives and challenges for PCa systems medicine and holistic healthcare are finally provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Lin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Zhijun Miao
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Dushuhu Public Hospital, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Zhixin Ling
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Xuedong Wei
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Jinxian Pu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Jianquan Hou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Bairong Shen
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Spugnini EP, Fais S. Drug repurposing for anticancer therapies. A lesson from proton pump inhibitors. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2019; 30:15-25. [PMID: 31847622 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2020.1704733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Worldwide, the annual expenditure on anticancer drugs is grossly calculated to be in the order of US$100 billion, and is expected to escalate up to $150 billion by 2020. It is evident that the vast majority of the most recently devised anticancer drugs are unaffordable in economically developing nations, frequently resulting in subpar therapies. In this complex medical and economic scenario, the repurposing of older drugs for anticancer therapies becomes a necessity. The repurposing of antiacid drugs such as the proton pump inhibitors as antitumoral agents and chemosensitizers is probably one of the most recent and promising phenomenon in oncology.Areas covered: Important research articles and patents focusing on proton pump inhibitors as a potential class of therapeutics, published between the period of 2006-2019, have been covered. This review mainly focuses on the therapeutic applications, as direct anticancer agents as well as modifiers of the tumor microenvironment and modulator of chemoresistance.Expert opinion: PPIs have significant anticancer applications and are proving to be safe, effective and inexpensive. Here the authors review the current knowledge regarding the influence of PPIs on the efficacy and safety of cancer chemotherapeutics through the regulation of targets other than the H+/K+-ATPase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Fais
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine Istituto Superiore di Sanità, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Foletti A, Fais S. Unexpected Discoveries Should Be Reconsidered in Science-A Look to the Past? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163973. [PMID: 31443232 PMCID: PMC6720802 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
From the past, we know how much “serendipity” has played a pivotal role in scientific discoveries. The definition of serendipity implies the finding of one thing while looking for something else. The most known example of this is the discovery of penicillin. Fleming was studying “Staphylococcus influenzae” when one of his culture plates became contaminated and developed a mold that created a bacteria-free circle. Then he found within the mold, a substance that proved to be very active against the vast majority of bacteria infecting human beings. Serendipity had a key role in the discovery of a wide panel of psychotropic drugs as well, including aniline purple, lysergic acid diethylamide, meprobamate, chlorpromazine, and imipramine. Actually, many recent studies support a step back in current strategies that could lead to new discoveries in science. This change should seriously consider the idea that to further focus research project milestones that are already too focused could be a mistake. How can you observe something that others did not realize before you? Probably, one pivotal requirement is that you pay a high level of attention on what is occurring all around you. But this is not entirely enough, since, specifically talking about scientific discoveries, you should have your mind sufficiently unbiased from mainstream infrastructures, which normally make you extremely focused on a particular endpoint without paying attention to potential “unexpected discoveries”. Research in medicine should probably come back to the age of innocence and avoid the age of mainstream reports that do not contribute to real advances in the curing of human diseases. Max Planck said “Science progresses not because scientists change their minds, but rather because scientists attached to erroneous views die, and are replaced”, and Otto Warburg used the same words when he realized the lack of acceptance of his ideas. This editorial proposes a series of examples showing, in a practical way, how unfocused research may contribute to very important discoveries in science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Foletti
- Clinical Biophysics International Research Group, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council-CNR, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Fais
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Health, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gillies RJ, Pilot C, Marunaka Y, Fais S. Targeting acidity in cancer and diabetes. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2019; 1871:273-280. [PMID: 30708040 PMCID: PMC6525044 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
While cancer is commonly described as "a disease of the genes", it is also a disease of metabolism. Indeed, carcinogenesis and malignancy are highly associated with metabolic re-programming, and there is clinical evidence that interrupting a cancer's metabolic program can improve patients' outcomes. Notably, many of the metabolic adaptations observed in cancer are similar to the same perturbations observed in diabetic patients. For example, metformin is commonly used to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetic patients, and has been demonstrated to reduce cancer incidence. Treatment with PI3K inhibitors can induce hyperinsulinemia, which can blunt therapeutic efficacy if unchecked. While commonalities between metabolism in cancer and diabetes have been extensively reviewed, here we examine a less explored and emergent convergence between diabetic and cancer metabolism: the generation of lactic acid and subsequent acidification of the surrounding microenvironment. Extracellular lactic acidosis is integral in disease manifestation and is a negative prognostic in both disease states. In tumors, this results in important sequela for cancer progression including increased invasion and metastasis, as well as inhibition of immune surveillance. In diabetes, acidosis impacts the ability of insulin to bind to its receptor, leading to peripheral resistance and an exacerbation of symptoms. Thus, acidosis may be a relevant therapeutic target, and we describe three approaches for targeting: buffers, nanomedicine, and proton pump inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Gillies
- Dept. Cancer Physiology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33602, USA.
| | - Christian Pilot
- Dept. Cancer Physiology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
| | - Yoshinori Marunaka
- Department of Molecular Cell Physiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; Research Institute for Clinical Physiology, Kyoto Industrial Health Association, Kyoto 604-8472, Japan; Research Center for Drug Discovery and Pharmaceutical Development Science, Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu 525-8577, Japan.
| | - Stefano Fais
- Dept. of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma 00161, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cunningham D, Zhang Q, Liu S, Parajuli KR, Nie Q, Ma L, Zhang A, Chen Z, You Z. Interleukin-17 promotes metastasis in an immunocompetent orthotopic mouse model of prostate cancer. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL UROLOGY 2018; 6:114-122. [PMID: 30038943 PMCID: PMC6055074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis of prostate cancer causes substantial morbidity and mortality. The role of chronic inflammatory factors in promoting the development of prostate cancer metastasis remains unexamined due to a lack of immunocompetent animal models. Here we report an orthotopic mouse allograft model of prostate cancer that was used to assess interleukin-17's role in prostate cancer metastasis. A luciferase gene was stably introduced into a mouse prostate cancer cell line MPC3, named as MPC3-luc. MPC3-luc cells were mixed with Matrigel™ and inoculated into C57BL/6 mouse prostates, with recombinant mouse interleukin-17 (IL-17) (treatment group) or without IL-17 (control group). Bioluminescent imaging was used to track the growth and metastasis of prostate cancer metastasis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm metastasis. Mice in the IL-17 treatment group had significantly higher incidence of metastasis than mice in the control group. However, there was no detectable difference in primary prostate tumor growth. Metastases were confirmed as originating from prostate cancer through staining for luciferase protein expression. Our findings suggest that interleukin-17 promotes prostate cancer metastasis in an orthotopic mouse allograft model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Cunningham
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans 70112, Louisiana
| | - Qiuyang Zhang
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans 70112, Louisiana
| | - Sen Liu
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans 70112, Louisiana
| | - Keshab R Parajuli
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans 70112, Louisiana
| | - Qiang Nie
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans 70112, Louisiana
- Lung Cancer Research Institute and Cancer Center, Guangdong General HospitalGuangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans 70112, Louisiana
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Allen Zhang
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans 70112, Louisiana
| | - Zhenbang Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical CollegeNashville, Tennessee
| | - Zongbing You
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans 70112, Louisiana
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans 70112, Louisiana
- Tulane Cancer Center and Louisiana Cancer Research ConsortiumNew Orleans, Louisiana
- Tulane Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, Louisiana
- Tulane Center for Aging, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, Louisiana
| |
Collapse
|