A Case of Complete and Durable Molecular Remission of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Following Treatment with Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, an Extract of Green Tea

Flavonoids Overcome Drug Resistance to Cancer Chemotherapy by Epigenetically Modulating Multiple Mechanisms

Drug resistance is the major reason accounting for the treatment failure in cancer chemotherapy. Dysregulation of the epigenetic machineries is known to induce chemoresistance. It was reported that numerous genes encoding the key mediators in cancer proliferation, apoptosis, DNA repair, and drug efflux are dysregulated in resistant cancer cells by aberrant DNA methylation. The imbalance of various enzymes catalyzing histone post-translational modifications is also known to alter chromatin configuration and regulate multiple drug resistance genes. Alteration in miRNA signature in cancer cells also gives rise to chemoresistance. Flavonoids are a large group of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds ubiquitously found in plants, fruits, vegetables and traditional herbs. There has been increasing research interest in the health-promoting effects of flavonoids. Flavonoids were shown to directly kill or re-sensitize resistant cancer cells to conventional anticancer drugs by epigenetic mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the current findings of the circumvention of drug resistance by flavonoids through correcting the aberrant epigenetic regulation of multiple resistance mechanisms. More investigations including the evaluation of synergistic anticancer activity, dosing sequence effect, toxicity in normal cells, and animal studies, are warranted to establish the full potential of the combination of flavonoids with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of cancer with drug resistance.

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.