Breast Cancer Diet "BCD": A Review of Healthy Dietary Patterns to Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence and Reduce Mortality

Inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by Dietary Antioxidants in THP-1 Macrophages and Sera from Patients with Breast Cancer

Polyphenols, the main antioxidants of diet, have shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities. Here, we compared the effects of four polyphenolic compounds on ROS production and on the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9, which represent important pathogenetic factors of breast cancer. THP-1 differentiated macrophages were activated by LPS and simultaneously treated with different doses of a green tea extract (GTE), resveratrol (RSV), curcumin (CRC) and an olive fruit extract (oliplus). By using the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, we found that all of the tested compounds showed antioxidant activity in vitro. In addition, GTE, RSV and CRC were able to counteract ROS production induced by H2O2 in THP-1 cells. As assessed by a zymographic analysis of THP-1 supernatants and by an "in-gel zymography" of a pool of sera from patients with breast cancer, the antioxidant compounds used in this study inhibited both the activity and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 through different mechanisms related to their structures and to their ability to scavenge ROS. The results of this study suggest that the used antioxidants could be promising agents for the prevention and complementary treatment of breast cancer and other diseases in which MMPs play a pivotal role.

Predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine in breast cancer: targeting the PI3K pathway

Breast cancer (BC) is a multifaceted disease characterized by distinct molecular subtypes and varying responses to treatment. In BC, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway has emerged as a crucial contributor to the development, advancement, and resistance to treatment. This review article explores the implications of the PI3K pathway in predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine for BC. It emphasizes the identification of predictive biomarkers, such as PIK3CA mutations, and the utility of molecular profiling in guiding treatment decisions. The review also discusses the potential of targeting the PI3K pathway for preventive strategies and the customization of therapy based on tumor stage, molecular subtypes, and genetic alterations. Overcoming resistance to PI3K inhibitors and exploring combination therapies are addressed as important considerations. While this field holds promise in improving patient outcomes, further research and clinical trials are needed to validate these approaches and translate them into clinical practice.

Effects of Functional and Nutraceutical Foods in the Context of the Mediterranean Diet in Patients Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Several studies report that breast cancer survivors (BCS) tend to have a poor diet, as fruit, vegetable, and legume consumption is often reduced, resulting in a decreased intake of nutraceuticals. Moreover, weight gain has been commonly described among BCS during treatment, increasing recurrence rate and mortality. Improving lifestyle and nutrition after the diagnosis of BC may have important benefits on patients' general health and on specific clinical outcomes. The Mediterranean diet (MD), known for its multiple beneficial effects on health, can be considered a nutritional pool comprising several nutraceuticals: bioactive compounds and foods with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Recent scientific advances have led to the identification of nutraceuticals that could amplify the benefits of the MD and favorably influence gene expression in these patients. Nutraceuticals could have beneficial effects in the postdiagnostic phase of BC, including helping to mitigate the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Moreover, the MD could be a valid and easy-to-follow option for managing excess weight. The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the recent scientific literature on the possible beneficial effects of consuming functional and nutraceutical foods in the framework of MD in BCS.

Weight Management Effectiveness and Predictors of Dropout in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Reducing obesity and weight gain, which often occurs during breast cancer treatment, may represent an efficient secondary or tertiary prevention against cancer.

PURPOSE

This retrospective observational cohort study aimed to assess the impact of a Mediterranean diet on weight and anthropometric changes in women completing active breast cancer treatment. Additionally, we sought to identify factors associated with study dropout within one year.

METHODS

A total of 182 female patients (20 normal weight, 59 overweight, 103 obese) received personalized Mediterranean diet interventions and underwent monthly outpatient visits.

RESULTS

Dropout rates were 42.3% at 6 months and 64.1% at 12 months. Among the obese subgroup, BMI (p < 0.001) and fat mass (p < 0.05) decreased after 6 months. At 12 months, the obese subgroup showed a borderline significant further reduction in BMI (p = 0.062). BMI or weight loss did not predict dropout at any time point. However, age (OR = 0.91) and diastolic blood pressure (OR = 1.07) were significant predictors of dropout at 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Implementing a Mediterranean diet can lead to weight and anthropometric improvements in breast cancer survivors. Further research is necessary to explore the long-term effects of weight loss on these individuals, identify effective dietary approaches, and consider specific predictors of dropout.

Dietary Approach of Patients with Hormone-Related Cancer Based on the Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Estimates

Hormone-related cancers, namely breast, endometrial, cervical, prostate, testicular, and thyroid, constitute a specific group of cancers dependent on hormone levels that play an essential role in cancer growth. In addition to the traditional risk factors, diet seems to be an important environmental factor that partially explains the steadily increased prevalence of this group of cancer. The composition of food, the dietary patterns, the endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and the way of food processing and preparation related to dietary advanced glycation end-product formation are all related to cancer. However, it remains unclear which specific dietary components mediate this relationship. Carbohydrates seem to be a risk factor for cancer in general and hormone-related cancers, in particular, with a difference between simple and complex carbohydrates. Glycemic index and glycemic load estimates reflect the effect of dietary carbohydrates on postprandial glucose concentrations. Several studies have investigated the relationship between the dietary glycemic index and glycemic load estimates with the natural course of cancer and, more specifically, hormone-related cancers. High glycemic index and glycemic load diets are associated with cancer development and worse prognosis, partially explained by the adverse effects on insulin metabolism, causing hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, and also by inflammation and oxidative stress induction. Herein, we review the existing data on the effect of diets focusing on the glycemic index and glycemic load estimates on hormone-related cancers.

Novel Treatments for Obesity: Implications for Cancer Prevention and Treatment

It is now established that obesity is related to a higher incidence of cancer during a lifespan. The effective treatment of obesity opens up new perspectives in the treatment of a relevant modifiable cancer risk factor. The present narrative review summarizes the correlations between weight loss in obesity and cancer. The current knowledge between obesity treatment and cancer was explored, highlighting the greatest potential for its use in the treatment of cancer in the clinical setting. Evidence for the effects of obesity therapy on proliferation, apoptosis, and response to chemotherapy is summarized. While more studies, including large, long-term clinical trials, are needed to adequately evaluate the relationship and durability between anti-obesity treatment and cancer, collaboration between oncologists and obesity treatment experts is increasingly important.

Association of Mediterranean diet with survival after breast cancer diagnosis in women from nine European countries: results from the EPIC cohort study

BACKGROUND

The Mediterranean diet has been associated with lower risk of breast cancer (BC) but evidence from prospective studies on the role of Mediterranean diet on BC survival remains sparse and conflicting. We aimed to investigate whether adherence to Mediterranean diet prior to diagnosis is associated with overall and BC-specific mortality.

METHODS

A total of 13,270 incident breast cancer cases were identified from an initial sample of 318,686 women in 9 countries from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. Adherence to Mediterranean diet was estimated through the adapted relative Mediterranean diet (arMED), a 16-point score that includes 8 key components of the Mediterranean diet and excludes alcohol. The degree of adherence to arMED was classified as low (score 0-5), medium (score 6-8), and high (score 9-16). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association between the arMED score and overall mortality, and Fine-Gray competing risks models were applied for BC-specific mortality.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 8.6 years from diagnosis, 2340 women died, including 1475 from breast cancer. Among all BC survivors, low compared to medium adherence to arMED score was associated with a 13% higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.13, 95%CI 1.01-1.26). High compared to medium adherence to arMED showed a non-statistically significant association (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.84-1.05). With no statistically significant departures from linearity, on a continuous scale, a 3-unit increase in the arMED score was associated with an 8% reduced risk of overall mortality (HR3-unit 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.97). This result sustained when restricted to postmenopausal women and was stronger among metastatic BC cases (HR3-unit 0.81, 95% CI: 0.72-0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Consuming a Mediterranean diet before BC diagnosis may improve long-term prognosis, particularly after menopause and in cases of metastatic breast cancer. Well-designed dietary interventions are needed to confirm these findings and define specific dietary recommendations.

The integrative bioinformatics approaches to predict the xanthohumol as anti-breast cancer molecule: Targeting cancer cells signaling PI3K and AKT kinase pathway

Background

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, and vast research is being conducted throughout the world for the treatment of this malignancy by natural products using various computational approaches. Xanthohumol, a prenylated flavonoid, is known for its anticancer activity; however, the mechanism behind its action is still in the preliminary stage.

Methods

The current study aimed to analyze the efficacy of xanthohumol compared to the currently available anticancer drugs targeting phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), serine/threonine kinase (AKT) receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) for breast cancer treatment through in silico analysis.

Results

The result revealed that the target compound showed significant binding affinity to targets within the PI3K, AKT, and HER2 signaling pathways with a binding energy of -7.5, -7.9, and -7.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Further prediction studies were then made concerning this compound's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) as well as drug-likeness properties, resulting in its oral bioavailability with only a single violation of Lipinski's rule of five.

Conclusions

The finding revealed the ability of xanthohumol to bind with multiple cancer cell signaling molecules including PI3K, AKT kinase, and HER2. The current novel study opened the door to advancing research into the management and treatment of breast cancer.

In Vivo and In Silico Investigation of the Anti-Obesity Effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Combined with Chia Seeds, Green Tea, and Chitosan in Alleviating Hyperlipidemia and Inflammation

The increasing prevalence of obesity has become a demanding issue in both high-income and low-income countries. Treating obesity is challenging as the treatment options have many limitations. Recently, diet modification has been commonly applied to control or prevent obesity and its risks. In this study, we investigated novel therapeutic approaches using a combination of a potential probiotic source with prebiotics. Forty-eight adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were selected and divided into seven groups (eight rats per group). The first group was fed a high-fat diet, while the second group was a negative control. The other five groups were orally administered with a probiotic, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), and potential prebiotics sources (chia seeds, green tea, and chitosan) either individually or in combination for 45 days. We collected blood samples to analyze the biochemical parameters and dissected organs, including the liver, kidney, and pancreas, to evaluate obesity-related injuries. We observed a more significant decrease in the total body weight by combining these approaches than with individual agents. Moreover, treating the obese rats with this combination decreased serum catalase, superoxide dismutase, and liver malondialdehyde levels. A histopathological examination revealed a reduction in obesity-related injuries in the liver, kidney, and pancreas. Further docking studies indicated the potential role of chia seeds and green tea components in modulating obesity and its related problems. Therefore, we suggest that the daily administration of a pre- and probiotic combination may reduce obesity and its related problems.

Does Mediterranean Adequacy Index Correlate with Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease? An Exploratory Study

The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a healthy dietary pattern, demonstrated to reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and early death. The Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI) is used to measure adherence to the MD in perspective studies in the general population and correlates with cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to calculate the MAI among patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and correlate it with traditional uremic, microbiota-derived, and proatherogenic toxins as well as nutritional status, quality of life, and cardiovascular events. A total of 60 adult patients with advanced CKD were enrolled and their MAI was calculated. According to the median value, patients were divided into lower (l-MAI, <1.80) and higher (h-MAI, ≥1.80) MAI groups. Biochemical parameters, microbiota-derived and proatherogenic toxins (p-Cresyl sulphate, Indoxyl-sulphate, and Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2), nutritional status, quality of life, and cardiovascular events that occurred in the previous three years were recorded. The mean value of the MAI was 2.78 ± 2.86. The MAI was significantly higher in foreigners (median (IQR) 6.38 (8.98) vs. 1.74 (1.67), p < 0.001) and diabetic patients. The l-MAI and h-MAI groups had similar routinary blood, p-Cresyl-sulphate, Indoxyl-sulphate, and Lp-PLA2 as well as nutritional status and quality of life parameters. The MAI was not associated with previous cardiovascular events and did not correlate with cardiovascular events in CKD patients. New and nephro-tailored indexes are warranted to evaluate nutritional therapy in CKD patients.