Micronutrient Food Supplements in Patients with Gastro-Intestinal and Hepatic Cancers

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

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.

Micronutrients Importance in Cancer Prevention-Vitamins

The effect of nutrition in the development and prognosis of cancer has received a lot of attention. Research shows taking vitamins, which are powerful antioxidants, can significantly lower the risk of cancers. Nutritional supplements suited to a patient's background, genetics, diet, tumour histology, and therapy may be beneficial in some cases. A poor diet may have a negative impact on immunity and treatment tolerance, decreasing the efficacy of chemotherapy in destroying malignant cells. Most cancer patients now take vitamins to supplement regular treatment and/or to decrease side effects from the medicine as well as the underlying ailment. This is a new development in recent decades, whereas taking nutritional supplements while receiving cancer treatment may increase the success of chemotherapy. To enhance the quality of life, lengthen the survival rate, and sustain immunotherapy compliance, additional study into the use of micronutrients in medical treatment is required for cancer patients. The main purpose of this book chapter was to highlight the role of vitamins in cancer and to establish a solid foundation for future research on this exciting topic. The possible impact of some vitamins in various malignancies such as colorectal, breast, prostate, lung, pancreatic, and stomach cancers are investigated.

The Role of Chosen Essential Elements (Zn, Cu, Se, Fe, Mn) in Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs) Dedicated to Oncology Patients-Critical Review: State-of-the-Art

The scoping review aimed to characterise the role of selected essential elements (Zn, Cu, Se, Fe, Mn) in food for special medical purposes (FSMPs) aimed at oncology patients. The scope review was conducted using Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science to find published references on this subject. Data from the reviewed literature were related to the physiological functions of the element in the body, and the effects of deficiencies and excesses, referring to the latest ESPEN and EFSA guidelines, among others. Important dietary indices/parameters based on the literature review are provided for each element. On the basis of the literature, data on the level of elements in patients with cancer were collected. The content of these elements in 100 mL of FSMPs was read from the manufacturers' declarations. The literature has been provided on the importance of each element in cancer. Our findings show that the essential elements (Zn, Cu, Se, Fe, and Mn) of FSMPs for cancer patients are not adequately treated. We suggest solutions to ensure the safe use of FSMPs in oncology patients.

ROS-responsive Galactosylated-nanoparticles with Doxorubicin Entrapment for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Therapy

Background

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive tumors with high metastasis and mortality, which constitutes 15~20% of all breast cancers. Chemotherapy remains main therapeutic option in the treatment of patients with TNBC.

Methods

We developed reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive galactosylated nanoparticles (DOX@NPs) as an efficiently targeted carrier for doxorubicin (DOX) delivery to inhibit the growth of TNBC in vitro and in vivo. DOX@NPs were composed of polyacrylate galactose and phenylboronic derivatives conjugation. The in vitro cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, cell apoptosis and cycle distribution of tumor cells treated with different formulations were investigated. Meanwhile in vivo biodistribution and antitumor effects were investigated in a 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse model.

Results

DOX@NPs showed good ROS responsiveness and rapid DOX release in the presence of H₂O₂. Furthermore, our data suggested that DOX@NPs could effectively trigger tumor cells apoptosis and cycle arrest, efficiently accumulate into tumor sites, and suppress tumor growth without adverse side effects.

Conclusion

Our results suggested DOX@NP with potent potential as a promising nanocarrier for TNBC therapy, which deserved further investigation for other cancer treatment.

Spice-Derived Bioactive Compounds Confer Colorectal Cancer Prevention via Modulation of Gut Microbiota

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequent cause of cancer-related mortality among all types of malignancies. Sedentary lifestyles, obesity, smoking, red and processed meat, low-fiber diets, inflammatory bowel disease, and gut dysbiosis are the most important risk factors associated with CRC pathogenesis. Alterations in gut microbiota are positively correlated with colorectal carcinogenesis, as these can dysregulate the immune response, alter the gut's metabolic profile, modify the molecular processes in colonocytes, and initiate mutagenesis. Changes in the daily diet, and the addition of plant-based nutraceuticals, have the ability to modulate the composition and functionality of the gut microbiota, maintaining gut homeostasis and regulating host immune and inflammatory responses. Spices are one of the fundamental components of the human diet that are used for their bioactive properties (i.e., antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects) and these exert beneficial effects on health, improving digestion and showing anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and glucose- and cholesterol-lowering activities, as well as possessing properties that affect cognition and mood. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of spices could be useful in the prevention of various types of cancers that affect the digestive system. This review is designed to summarize the reciprocal interactions between dietary spices and the gut microbiota, and highlight the impact of dietary spices and their bioactive compounds on colorectal carcinogenesis by targeting the gut microbiota.

Zinc's Association with the CmPn/CmP Signaling Network in Breast Cancer Tumorigenesis

It is well-known that serum and cellular concentrations of zinc are altered in breast cancer patients. Specifically, there are notable zinc hyper-aggregates in breast tumor cells when compared to normal mammary epithelial cells. However, the mechanisms responsible for zinc accumulation and the consequences of zinc dysregulation are poorly understood. In this review, we detailed cellular zinc regulation/dysregulation under the influence of varying levels of sex steroids and breast cancer tumorigenesis to try to better understand the intricate relationship between these factors based on our current understanding of the CmPn/CmP signaling network. We also made some efforts to propose a relationship between zinc signaling and the CmPn/CmP signaling network.