Is there a role for complementary therapy in the management of leukemia?

Organochlorine pesticides, oxidative stress biomarkers, and leukemia: a case-control study

Exposure to pesticides has been linked to an elevated risk of leukemia. The present research aimed to evaluate the relationship between organochlorine (OC) pesticides and biomarkers of oxidative stress in leukemia patients. This work was conducted on 109 patients with leukemia and 109 healthy controls. The serum concentrations of seven derivatives of OCs including alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, 2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDT, 2,4-DDE, and 4,4-DDE along with acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and catalase (CAT) activities as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), protein carbonyl (PC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in all the subjects. Levels of OCs were remarkably higher in leukemia patients compared to the controls (p < 0.05). In addition, levels of SOD, AChE, GPx, PON-1, and TAC were remarkably lower in leukemia patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). In contrast, MDA, NO, and PC concentrations were higher in leukemia patients than in the controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, the serum level of 4,4-DDE was negatively associated with GPx activity (p = 0.038). Our findings suggest that OCs may play a role in the development of leukemia by disrupting the oxidant/antioxidant balance.

Organochlorine pesticides, oxidative stress biomarkers, and leukemia: a case-control study

Exposure to pesticides has been linked to an elevated risk of leukemia. The present research aimed to evaluate the relationship between organochlorine (OC) pesticides and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with leukemia. This work was conducted on 109 patients with leukemia and 109 healthy controls. The serum concentrations of seven derivatives of OCs including alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, 2,4-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), 4,4-DDT, 2,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and 4,4-DDE along with acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and catalase (CAT) activities as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), protein carbonyl (PC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in all the subjects. Levels of OCs were remarkably higher in patients with leukemia compared with the controls (p<0.05). In addition, levels of SOD, AChE, GPx, PON1, and TAC were remarkably lower in patients with leukemia compared with controls (p<0.05). In contrast, MDA, NO, and PC concentrations were higher in patients with leukemia than in the controls (p<0.05). Moreover, the serum level of 4,4-DDE was negatively associated with GPx activity (p=0.038). Our findings suggest that OCs may play a role in the development of leukemia by disrupting the oxidant/antioxidant balance.

Slow-Stroke Back Massage Compared With Music Therapy for Leukemia-Related Pain and Fatigue: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

Comparison of two safe complementary medicine methods to treat cancer-related pain and fatigue in adult patients with acute leukemia during active treatment with chemotherapy.

METHODS

A randomized trial with three groups (light massage, music therapy, and standard care) in Ahvaz, Iran, between 2018 and 2019. A total of 104 participants of the massage and music therapy groups received 15-minute intervention sessions, thrice weekly for 4 weeks, and participants of the control group received standard care. Cancer-related pain and fatigue intensity were measured by numeric self-report rating scales. During the 4 weeks of the interventions, pain and fatigue intensity were measured weekly. All the groups were followed up for 2 weeks after the end of the intervention.

RESULTS

Pain and fatigue intensity decreased significantly over time between the intervention groups compared with the standard care group. In the massage and music therapy groups, a progressive reduction of pain and fatigue intensity over time (from the baseline to the fourth week) was observed. Fatigue intensity did not differ between the two intervention groups. Pain intensity decreased more in the massage group compared with the music therapy group. The durable effects of the massage therapy were greater compared with the music therapy 2 weeks after the intervention was completed.

CONCLUSION

Light massage was more effective and persisted longer than the music therapy for controlling leukemia-related pain and fatigue in adult patients with acute leukemia.

Case Report of Unexpectedly Long Survival of Patient With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Why Integrative Methods Matter

INTRODUCTION

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common types of leukemia. In the present case, an evidence-guided treatment plan of supplements and lifestyle changes were used to support the patient.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 56-y-old female presented to her primary care physician for a routine physical in 2001. Complete blood cell results suggest pathology among white blood cells. Flow cytometry was used to confirm the presence of CLL. Other than an episode of splenomegaly in 2005 and mild lymphadenopathy, the patient has remained asymptomatic since diagnosis in 2001. In late 2001, the patient began a physician-assisted regimen of alternative dietary supplements and lifestyle changes.

CONCLUSION

Nutritional supplementation along with lifestyle changes appears to have supported the maintenance of stable and indolent CLL in this patient. It is important for physicians to be prepared to engage with their patients on use of supplements and lifestyle changes in managing their disease.

The effect of massage therapy on autonomic activity in critically ill children

Objectives. Our main objective was to describe the effect of foot and hand (F&H) massage on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in children hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU); the secondary objectives were to assess the relationship between ANS function and the clinical severity and to explore the effects of repeated massage sessions on the ANS. Methods. Design was a descriptive experimental study. Intervention was single or six session(s) of F&H massage. ANS function was assessed through the frequency-domain analysis of heart rate variability. Main metrics included high and low frequency power (HF and LF), HF + LF, and LF/HF ratio. Results. Eighteen children participated in the study. A strong Spearman's correlation (ρ = −0.77) was observed between HF + LF and clinical severity. During massage, the parasympathetic activity (measured by HF) increased significantly from baseline (P = 0.04) with a mean percentage increase of 75% (95% CI: 20%∼130%). LF increased by 56% (95% CI: 20%∼92%) (P = 0.026). Repeated sessions were associated with a persistent effect on HF and LF which peaked at the second session and remained stable thereafter. Conclusions. HF + LF is positively correlated with clinical severity. F&H massage can improve the ANS activity and the effect persists when repeated sessions are offered.