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Schwermer M, Fetz K, Ostermann T, Truxius L, Längler A, Jan Zuzak T. Evaluation of a guideline for supportive anthroposophic therapies for hospitalised children with acute gastroenteritis - A prospective case series study. Complement Ther Med 2024; 82:103042. [PMID: 38636719 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Even though several German children's hospitals offer integrative, anthroposophic medical therapies in addition to the standard medical care, guidelines for these anthroposophic therapies are still rare. Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of implementing a published, consensus-based guideline for the treatment of children with acute gastroenteritis (aGE) with anthroposophic therapies in the community hospital Herdecke. DESIGN A prospective case series of paediatric patients (≤18 years) with an aGE admitted to the department of integrative paediatrics of the community hospital Herdecke was conducted. Demographic, clinical and therapeutic data was recorded at initial presentation and at follow-up visits. Physicians were surveyed with a questionnaire to evaluate feasibility of implementing the guideline. RESULTS Sixty-two patients (0-15 years; 22 male, 40 female) were included in the case series. All patients received some form of anthroposophic therapy. The most frequently used remedies were Geum urbanum, Nux vomica and Bolus alba comp. Treating physicians showed a high adherence to the expert-based consensus guideline in their prescribed therapies. All physicians stated that they were familiar with the guideline and used the recommendation to inform their therapy decision. Suitability for daily use and effectiveness in treating the main symptoms of aGE were highly scored by the physicians. CONCLUSION The consensus-based guideline of anthroposophic therapies for aGE in children was successfully implemented and found to be useful for physicians in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Germany.
| | - Katharina Fetz
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
| | - Louisa Truxius
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
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Pirson L, Lüer SC, Diezi M, Kroiss S, Brazzola P, Schilling FH, von der Weid N, Scheinemann K, Greiner J, Zuzak TJ, von Bueren AO. Pediatric oncologists' perspectives on the use of complementary medicine in pediatric cancer patients in Switzerland: A national survey-based cross-sectional study. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2022; 6:e1649. [PMID: 35699504 PMCID: PMC9875643 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a widespread use of complementary therapies among pediatric cancer patients. Previous studies provided evidence that communication between pediatric oncologists (POs) and patients/families about the use of these therapies is often incomplete. Furthermore, nationwide studies on this topic are rare. AIMS We assessed POs' perspectives on the use of complementary medicine (CM) in Switzerland, on the basis of an edited survey previously used in a nationwide study. METHODS AND RESULTS A link to an online survey was sent by e-mail to each of the fifty-two eligible pediatric oncologists in all nine Swiss Pediatric Oncology Group (SPOG) centers. Eligible respondents were board-certified (Switzerland or abroad) POs currently working at a SPOG center. The survey was available for a total period of 2 months. We received 29 filled questionnaires (overall response rate: 56%). Most POs (59%) indicated that they ask more than 50% of their patients about CM use. Frequent reasons for not asking about the use of CM were i) forgetting to ask (55%), ii) lack of knowledge on the subject (31%), and iii) lack of time (24%). More than every second PO (55%) reported having a lack of knowledge on the subject. A majority of POs (66% to 76%) indicated interest in learning more about specific CM topics (cannabinoids, hypnosis and relaxation, music therapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, meditation, and yoga). More information and specific training opportunities on the use of CM was deemed important by 76% to 97% of POs. CONCLUSION POs working in Switzerland identify complementary therapies as an important subject. Swiss POs are willing to acquire more knowledge on CM. More training seems to be necessary in order to increase awareness about the topic, to enhance communication about complementary therapies and thus to improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léopold Pirson
- Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology, and Obstetrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyUniversity Hospital of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
- Cansearch Research platform for pediatric oncology and hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and ObstetricsUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
- Department of PediatricsCliniques Universitaires Saint‐LucBrusselsBelgium
| | - Sonja C. Lüer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyUniversity Children's Hospital, University Cancer Center, InselspitalBernSwitzerland
| | - Manuel Diezi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyLausanne University HospitalLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Sabine Kroiss
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyChildren's Hospital ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Pierluigi Brazzola
- Department of PediatricsIstituto Pediatrico della Svizzera ItalianaBellinzonaSwitzerland
| | - Freimut H. Schilling
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyChildren's Hospital LucerneLucerneSwitzerland
| | - Nicolas von der Weid
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyUniversity Children's Hospital of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Katrin Scheinemann
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyCantonal Hospital AarauAarauSwitzerland
- Department of PediatricsMcMaster University HamiltonHamiltonOntarioCanada
- Department of Health Sciences and MedicineUniversity of LucerneLucerneSwitzerland
| | - Jeanette Greiner
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyChildren's Hospital of Eastern SwitzerlandSt. GallenSwitzerland
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent MedicineGemeinschaftskrankenhaus HerdeckeHerdeckeGermany
| | - André O. von Bueren
- Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology, and Obstetrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyUniversity Hospital of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
- Cansearch Research platform for pediatric oncology and hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and ObstetricsUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
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Wopker PM, Schwermer M, Sommer S, Längler A, Fetz K, Ostermann T, Zuzak TJ. Expert consensus-based clinical recommendation for an integrative anthroposophic treatment of acute bronchitis in children: A Delphi survey. Complement Ther Med 2021; 60:102736. [PMID: 34058369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute bronchitis is one of the most common pediatric diseases. In addition to conventional therapies, a frequent use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been stated. Anthroposophic medicine (AM) is one of the most practiced complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) approaches in Central Europe but hitherto no consensus-based clinical recommendations or guidelines are available. Therefore, a consensus-based recommendation leading to an informed and reasonable use of AM in the treatment of acute bronchitis in pediatrics was developed. METHODS A total of 61 physicians in Germany with expertise in the field of anthroposophic pediatrics was invited to complete an online multistep Delphi process. Two independent reviewers quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated the results. The survey was completed when >75 % consensus was achieved. RESULTS The clinical recommendation comprises 15 subitems related to treatment as well as clinical and psychosocial aspects. All items reached strong consensus (>90 %; N = 9) or consensus (75-90 %; N = 6). CONCLUSION The comprehensive clinical recommendation creates a scientific base for the anthroposophic integrative treatment of acute bronchitis in children in Germany. It will make the anthroposophic approach more applicable, understandable and comparable to a wider public of physicians and other health professionals in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Marie Wopker
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany; Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany; Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany.
| | - Simon Sommer
- Department of Pediatrics, Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln, Dr.-Friedrich-Steiner-Straße 5, 45711, Datteln, Germany
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany; Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany
| | - Katharina Fetz
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany; Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr.55, 45147, Essen, Germany
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Menke K, Schwermer M, Schramm A, Zuzak TJ. [Präklinische Untersuchungen von Wechselwirkungen zwischen Mistel und Radio- oder Chemotherapie auf pädiatrische Tumorzellen]. Complement Med Res 2021; 28:308-316. [PMID: 33621978 DOI: 10.1159/000512670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Hintergrund: Mistelanwendungen werden als komplementäre Therapien häufig in der pädiatrischen Onkologie zusammen mit einer Radio- oder Chemotherapie verabreicht. Wechselwirkungen bei simultaner Applikation sind gerade in der Pädiatrie von großer Bedeutung, sie sind allerdings nach wie vor unzureichend untersucht. Material und Methoden: Zytotoxische Effekte des Mistelextraktes abnobaVISCUM Fraxini (aVF) auf LAN-1 Neuroblastomzellen und deren Etoposid- bzw. Cisplatin-resistente Subzelllinien wurden mittels Viabilitätstest untersucht, sowie mögliche Synergieeffekte zwischen aVF und den Chemotherapeutika durch die Softwareprodukte Combenefit und CompuSyn analysiert. Effekte einer Kombinationstherapie aus aVF und Bestrahlung auf SH-SY5Y Zellen wurden mittels Koloniebildungstest untersucht und Auswirkungen auf die Reparatureffizienz strahleninduzierter Doppelstrangbrüche mit Hilfe durchflusszytometrischer Quantifizierungen von γ-H2AX-Foci nach PI/FITC Doppelfärbung analysiert. Ergebnisse: Die Chemotherapie-resistenten LAN-1 Subzelllinien erwiesen sich als resistenter gegenüber der Mistelbehandlung als die Ursprungszelllinie. Auf Basis vier verschiedener Referenz-modelle konnten vor allem synergistisch/additive Effekte zwischen aVF und den Zytostatika Etoposid und Cisplatin berechnet werden. Die Kombination aus Mistelbehandlung und Bestrahlung führte zu einer Verringerung der Koloniebildung und zu einer Verzögerung der Reparaturgeschwindigkeit von strahleninduzierten Doppelstrangbrüchen. Schlussfolgerung: Die präklinischen Daten könnten darauf hinweisen, dass die Verwendung des Mistelextraktes, aVF, eine unterstützende Wirkung auf Radio- und Chemotherapien hat. BACKGROUND Mistletoe therapies belong to the field of complementary medicines and are often administered simultaneously or successive to conventional radio- or chemotherapy. Drug-herb interactions are of great significance, especially in pediatrics, but are still insufficiently investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cytotoxic effects of the mistletoe extract, abnobaVISCUM Fraxini (aVF), on LAN-1 neuroblastoma cell line and their chemotherapy-resistant (cisplatin; etoposide) subclones were investigated by cell viability assays. Potential synergistic or antagonistic effects of the co-treatment of aVF and cisplatin or etoposide, respectively, were analyzed by Combenefit and CompuSyn software. Combinational effects of mistletoe and irradiation were assessed by colony formation assays and repair efficiency of irradiation-induced double strand breaks was investigated by flow cytometric analyses of γ-H2AX foci after PI/FITC double staining. RESULTS Chemotherapy-resistant subclones were more resistant to mistletoe therapy than the parental cells. Based on four different reference models, primarily synergistic/additive effects between aVF and the cytostatic drugs could be calculated. Simultaneous application of mistletoe extract and irradiation led to a delay of irradiation-induced double strand break repair in neuroblastoma cells and a decreased colony formation compared to irradiation monotherapy. CONCLUSION The preclinical data may indicate that the use of aVF has a supportive effect on radio- and chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Menke
- Abteilung für pädiatrische Onkologie und Hämatologie Universitäts Kinderklinik Essen, Essen, Deutschland
| | - Melanie Schwermer
- Abteilung für pädiatrische Onkologie und Hämatologie Universitäts Kinderklinik Essen, Essen, Deutschland.,Abteilung für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Deutschland
| | - Alexander Schramm
- Medizinische Onkologie, Westdeutsches Tumorzentrum, Universitätskrankenhaus Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Deutschland
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Abteilung für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Deutschland,
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Korff JM, Menke K, Schwermer M, Falke K, Schramm A, Längler A, Zuzak TJ. Antitumoral Effects of Curcumin (Curcuma longa L.) and Thymoquinone (Nigella sativa L.) on Neuroblastoma Cell Lines. Complement Med Res 2020; 28:164-168. [PMID: 33075785 DOI: 10.1159/000509765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Overall survival of high-risk neuroblastoma patients is still poor, emphasizing the need for novel therapeutic options. There is evidence for anti-cancer properties of the herbal substances thymoquinone and curcumin. These substances are isolated from Nigella sativa L. and Curcuma longa L., respectively, which are used in traditional medicine. OBJECTIVE We investigated cytotoxic effects of thymoquinone and curcumin on neuroblastoma cell lines NLF, NB69, and SK-N-BE(2), in vitro. METHODS Cytotoxicity of compounds was investigated by MTT cell viability assays. For analyzing effects on cell proliferation BrdU assays were employed and induction of apoptosis was detected by Cell Death ELISA assays. RESULTS Both substances showed cytotoxic effects in all three neuroblastoma cell lines, whereby primary human fibroblast cells reacted less sensitively. Overall, lower IC50 values could be calculated for curcumin (3.75-7.42 µM) than for thymoquinone (5.16-16.3 µM). Decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis rates were observed under treatment. CONCLUSIONS Both substances showed anti-tumoral properties on neuroblastoma cell lines and should be further investigated as therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Maria Korff
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Katrin Menke
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany, .,Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Essen, Germany,
| | - Katharina Falke
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany.,Integrative Pediatrics Institute for Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten/Herdecke, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
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Fetz K, Längler A, Schwermer M, Carvalho-Hilje C, Vagedes J, Zuzak TJ, Ostermann T. Comparative analysis of resource utilization in integrative anthroposophic and all German pediatric inpatient departments. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:939. [PMID: 33046108 PMCID: PMC7552368 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05782-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrative Medicine (IM) combines conventional and complementary therapies. It aims to address biological, psychological, social, spiritual and environmental aspects of patients' health. During the past 20 years, the use and request of IM in children and adults has grown. Anthroposophic Medicine (AM) is an IM approach frequently used in children in Germany. From both public health and health economic perspectives, it is relevant to investigate whether there are differences in the resource utilization between integrative pediatric departments (IPD) and the entirety of all pediatric departments. METHODS Standard ward documentation data from all German integrative anthroposophic pediatric departments (2005-2016; N = 29,956) is investigated and systematically compared to data of the entirety of all pediatric departments in Germany derived from the Institute for the Hospital Reimbursement System (2005-2016, N = 8,645,173). The analyses focus on: length of stay, Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG), Major Diagnosis Categories (MDC), and effective Case Mix Index (CMI). RESULTS The length of stay in the IPD (M = 5.38 ± 7.31) was significantly shorter than the DRG defined length of stay (M = 5.8 ± 4.71; p < .001; d = - 0.07) and did not exceed or undercut the DRG covered length of stay. Compared to the entirety of all pediatric departments (M = 4.74 ± 6.23) the length of stay was significantly longer in the in the IPD (p <. 001; d = 0.12). The effective CMI in IPD and all pediatric departments were identical (M = 0.76). The frequencies of DRG and MDC differed between IPD and all pediatric departments, with higher frequencies of DRGs and MDCs associated with chronic and severe illnesses in the IPD. CONCLUSIONS Treatment within integrative anthroposophic pediatric departments fits well in terms of the DRG defined conditions concerning length of stay, even though integrative pediatric patients has an increased length of stay of averagely 1 day, which is most likely associated to time consuming, complex integrative treatment approaches and to a certain extend to higher amount of chronic and severe diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Fetz
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448, Witten, Germany.
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany.,Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Institute for Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448, Witten, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Clara Carvalho-Hilje
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany.,Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Institute for Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448, Witten, Germany
| | - Jan Vagedes
- ARCIM Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Filderstadt, Germany.,Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr.55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448, Witten, Germany
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Menke K, Schwermer M, Eisenbraun J, Schramm A, Zuzak TJ. Anticancer Effects of Viscum album Fraxini Extract on Medulloblastoma Cells in vitro. Complement Med Res 2020; 28:15-22. [PMID: 32659760 DOI: 10.1159/000507318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mistletoe therapy is frequently administered as a supportive treatment in diverse pediatric cancer entities including brain tumors. Medulloblastoma is the most common brain tumor in childhood. Its high risk to metastasize and its long-term sequelae caused by aggressive chemo- or radiotherapies are still challenging. MATERIAL AND METHODS Effects of a lectin-rich mistletoe extract, abnobaVISCUM Fraxini, were investigated in two medulloblastoma cell lines (Daoy and ONS-76). Responsiveness of tumor cells was assessed by cell viability assays and xCELLigence real-time analyses. Moreover, impacts on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were investigated. Apoptosis was studied by staining of vital mitochondria and assessing the involvement of caspases. In addition, effects on migration and invasion were analyzed. RESULTS Both medulloblastoma cell lines were more susceptible to treatment with the mistletoe extract than a nontumorigenic fibroblast cell line. In mistletoe-sensitive Daoy cells, reduction of proliferation and induction of caspase-mediated apoptosis were observed upon administration of 0.05 and 0.5 mg/mL abnobaVISCUM Fraxini treatment, respectively. Furthermore, mistletoe extract inhibited migration and invasion properties in Daoy and significantly impaired invasive capabilities of ONS-76 cells. CONCLUSION AbnobaVISCUM Fraxini has cell line dependent antitumoral effects in medulloblastoma models. These results call for further investigations, to reveal mechanistic insights into antitumorigenic properties of mistletoe extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Menke
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
| | | | - Alexander Schramm
- Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany,
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Fetz K, Ostermann T, Schwermer M, Appelbaum S, Vagedes J, Zuzak TJ, Längler A. Do patients of integrative anthroposophic pediatric inpatient departments differ? Comparative analysis to all pediatric inpatients in Germany considering demographic and clinical characteristics. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1623. [PMID: 31795983 PMCID: PMC6889203 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7972-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrative medicine (IM) is a patient-centered, evidence-based, therapeutic paradigm which combines conventional and complementary approaches. The use of IM in pediatrics has increased in the past two decades and parents' demand for it is growing. An IM whole systems approach is anthroposophic medicine. Considering the growing demand for integrative approaches in children, it is relevant from a public health perspective to find out which kind of children use IM in Germany and whether they differ from the entirety of pediatric inpatients in Germany. Moreover, it would be interesting to known, whether these patients are willing to travel a longer distance to gain integrative treatment. METHODS The present study investigates the standard ward documentation datasets of 29,956 patients of all German integrative anthroposophic pediatric inpatient wards from 2005 to 2016 and compares them systematically to collect data of the entirety of all pediatric inpatient wards in Germany. Apart from patients' age and gender, and the ICD-10 admission diagnoses, the geographical catchment area of the hospitals were analyzed. RESULTS Sociodemographic characteristics of pediatric inpatients in the integrative anthroposophic departments (IAH) did not differ from the entirety of all pediatric inpatients. Regarding clinical characteristics, higher frequencies were found for endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (IAH: 7.24% vs. 2.98%); mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders (IAH: 9.83% vs. 3.78%) and nervous diseases (IAH: 8.82% vs. 5.16%) and lower frequencies for general pediatric diseases such as respiratory diseases (IAH: 17.06% vs. 19.83%), digestive diseases (IAH: 3.90% vs. 6.25%), and infectious and parasitic diseases (IAH: 12.88% vs. 14.82%) in comparison to the entirety of all pediatric inpatients in Germany. The IAH showed a broad catchment area, with most patients being from former, Western federal republic of Germany. Large catchment areas (> 100 km) for the IAH are merely covered by severe and chronic diseases. CONCLUSION Pediatric inpatients of IAH do not differ from the entirety of pediatric inpatients in Germany regarding sociodemographic characteristics but show differences regarding clinical characteristics. Parents are willing to travel further distance to get specialized integrative anthroposophic medical care for children with severe and chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Fetz
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
| | - Sebastian Appelbaum
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Jan Vagedes
- ARCIM Institute Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Filderstadt, Germany
- Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr.55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
- Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Institute for Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
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Fetz K, Schwermer M, Laengler A, Zuzak TJ. An evidence-based approach for the development of therapy recommendations in integrative paediatrics. Advances in Integrative Medicine 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2019.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Fetz K, Schwermer M, Ostermann T, Appelbaum S, Krueger M, Vagedes J, Zuzak TJ, Laengler A. Do patients using integrative medicine in paediatric inpatient wards differ from representative paediatric patients? Advances in Integrative Medicine 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2019.03.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Fetz K, Laengler A, Schwermer M, Carvalho-Hilje C, Krueger M, Vagedes J, Zuzak TJ, Ostermann T. Do health economic parameters in integrative paediatrics differ from representative paediatrics? Advances in Integrative Medicine 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aimed.2019.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Zuzak TJ, Wasmuth A, Bernitzki S, Schwermer M, Längler A. Safety of high-dose intravenous mistletoe therapy in pediatric cancer patients: A case series. Complement Ther Med 2018; 40:198-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Schwermer M, Längler A, Fetz K, Ostermann T, Zuzak TJ. Management of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children: A Systematic Review of Anthroposophic Therapies. Complement Med Res 2018; 25:321-330. [DOI: 10.1159/000488317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Background: Acute gastroenteritis in children accounts for about 10% of hospital admissions and is still one of the major causes of death worldwide. As many children are treated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and anthroposophic medicine, respectively, especially in Europe, the aim of this review was to descriptively present published anthroposophic therapies applied for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in childhood. Methods: A complex search strategy recording a broad spectrum of CAM therapies was developed to identify anthroposophic therapy options for the treatment of gastroenteritis in children. The search was conducted in 4 general scientific as well as 3 CAM-specific databases. Results: In total, 3,086 articles were identified and screened for anthroposophic related content. The majority of hits deal with nutritional/dietary therapies. Articles considering anthroposophic approaches constitute only 3.1% (7/227) of all CAM-related articles. Among these articles 2 observational studies, 3 experience reports and 2 reviews were identified. In the experience reports, a variety of anthroposophic remedies was recommended but mostly unsupported by scientific evidence. However, observational studies for the anthroposophic medications, Bolus alba comp. and Gentiana comp., were detected. Additionally, studies investigating the efficacy and safety of Chamomilla, Ipecacuanha, Podophyllum or Tormentilla preparations in homeopathy and phytomedicine, respectively, were presented. Conclusions: Most CAM-associated therapies for gastroenteritis in childhood comprise dietary recommendations. Studies concerning anthroposophic approaches and medications, respectively, are deficient. The results of this study underline that effort is needed to evaluate anthroposophic therapies in a clinical setting.
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Schwermer M, Längler A, Fetz K, Ostermann T, Zuzak TJ. Anthroposophic medicine in the treatment of pediatric pseudocroup: A systematic review. Complement Ther Med 2017; 40:185-190. [PMID: 30219446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Europe only few integrative pediatric wards exists and there are two German hospitals focusing on anthroposophic medicine as part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Whilst the most common pediatric diseases are treated here, pseudocroup patients make up a large group in these hospitals, receiving conventional as well as anthroposophic therapies. However, effectiveness of these therapy concepts mostly based on physicians' experiences but clinical studies are hitherto missing. METHODS A systematic literature search identifying therapy approaches for pseudocroup in children was conducted in general electronic databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, OVID) and in CAM-specific databases (CAMbase, CAM-QUEST®, Anthromedics). Search results were screened for anthroposophic therapy options. In addition, anthroposophic guidebooks were handsearched for relevant information. RESULTS Among 157 articles fulfilling search criteria one retrospective study, and five experience reports describing anthroposophic treatments were identified. Several medications for the treatment of pseudocroup were mentioned such as Aconitum, Apis, Bryonia, Hepar sulfuris, Lavender, Pyrit, Sambucus and Spongia. During appropriate use no adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION Anthroposophic medicine harbors a broad spectrum of remedies for the treatment of pseudocroup in children. In particular, Aconitum, Bryonia and Spongia are frequently recommended; however, clinical trials investigating the effectiveness are sparse. Therefore, development and validation of therapy strategies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany; Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Institute for Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Katharina Fetz
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany; Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.
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Zuzak TJ, Längler A. Contributing factors and outcomes of treatment refusal in pediatric oncology in Germany. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2017; 64:396. [PMID: 27663710 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Integrative Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Integrative Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
- Faculty of Health, Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics Centre for Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
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Zuzak TJ, Kameda G, Schütze T, Kaatsch P, Seifert G, Bailey R, Längler A. Contributing factors and outcomes of treatment refusal in pediatric oncology in Germany. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2016; 63:1800-5. [PMID: 27348500 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Germany, about 1,800 new cases of pediatric cancer under 15 years of age are diagnosed each year and survival rates approach 80%. Although treatment is covered by health insurance and is thus available for all patients at no cost, treatment refusal and treatment discontinuation have been observed. However, no data providing numbers and outcomes for developed countries have been published thus far. PROCEDURE A questionnaire-based survey was performed among German pediatric oncology centers to ascertain the number of treatment refusals among pediatric patients who were diagnosed between January 2008 and December 2009 in Germany. RESULTS Questionnaires from 70 of 73 centers were available, and of these 13 centers reported a total of 15 cases of treatment refusal or discontinuation within this 2-year period. Five of the 15 patients died, 7 of 15 were still alive, and the current status of 3 of 15 patients was unknown. Diseases were heterogeneous. Six of the 15 parents refused treatment for their children initially, 8 of 15 discontinued during the course of treatment. Five patients were treated after parental custody had been withdrawn due to the lack of compliance. All these five patients survived. Parents' reasons given for refusal or discontinuation of treatment were related to personal health beliefs and coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS Although treatment refusal or discontinuation is rare, it is accompanied by a high mortality rate. Parents' personal health beliefs play a primary role in treatment refusal or discontinuation in Germany. This emphasizes the importance of sustaining a functioning and mutually communicative physician-parent-patient relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Integrative Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Genn Kameda
- Department of Integrative Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany
| | - Tim Schütze
- Faculty of Health, Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics Centre for Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
| | - Peter Kaatsch
- German Childhood Cancer Registry (GCCR), Institute for Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Georg Seifert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rebekka Bailey
- Department of Integrative Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany.,Faculty of Health, Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics Centre for Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Integrative Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany.,Faculty of Health, Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics Centre for Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
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Schütze T, Längler A, Zuzak TJ, Schmidt P, Zernikow B. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by pediatric oncology patients during palliative care. Support Care Cancer 2016; 24:2869-75. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-016-3097-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Ozturk C, Karatas H, Längler A, Schütze T, Bailey R, Zuzak TJ. Complementary and alternative medicine in pediatrics in Turkey. World J Pediatr 2014; 10:299-305. [PMID: 25515802 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-014-0507-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is applied both to children and adults widely throughout the world. A previous pan-European survey showed a surprisingly high CAM-use in Turkish children. This review aimed to survey information on the use of CAM in pediatrics in Turkey. DATA SOURCES A narrative, non-systematic review was conducted by melding expert opinions with a thorough and balanced review of available evidence. An unrestricted literature search using the key words, "alternative", "complementary", "integrative", "prevalence" and "pediatric" or "children" and "Turkey" was performed by internet search in March, 2012 using PubMed and Google Scholar. RESULTS CAM use was examined in general pediatrics, pediatric oncology, patients with asthma, and patients with diabetes. A frequency of CAM use was 87% in Turkish pediatric patients, with a mean of 60%. The primary sources of information about CAM are family and friends. Communication with patients/parents and health care professionals showed that most parents do not speak about CAM use with their physicians or nurses. CONCLUSIONS CAM is extensively used in Turkish pediatric patients. This might be due to Turkey's status as a developing country in which a traditional medical system still dominates in comparison to developed countries. Thus, larger studies are required to prove an extensive use of CAM in Turkey, as this review article does not have the capacity for in-depth analysis. Knowledge about CAM and its related topics is essential for physicians and nurses in order to meet the patients' wish for a competent consultation concerning all aspects of a possible therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candan Ozturk
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Zuzak TJ, Bornschein M, Stephan H, Pajtler K, Eisenbraun J, Schramm A, Eggert A. Viscum Album (mistletoe) extract inhibits growth of pediatric tumor cells in vitro. Klin Padiatr 2011. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1277086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Zuzak TJ, Zuzak-Siegrist I, Simões-Wüst AP, Rist L, Staubli G. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients presenting to a Paediatric Emergency Department. Eur J Pediatr 2009; 168:431-7. [PMID: 18597113 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-008-0765-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2008] [Accepted: 05/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Although the popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has risen in the last decade, information about its use by paediatric patients presenting to an Emergency Department is still sparse. We report here the results of a cross-sectional survey of paediatric patients presenting to an urban, tertiary paediatric Emergency Department between October 2006 and March 2007. In total, 1143 questionnaires (68% of those distributed) were completed and available for analysis. Of these, 58% (n = 665) of all respondents admitted that their child had received some form of CAM therapy, while 25% (n = 291) admitted that their child was receiving CAM for the present illness. In 31% of the respondents (n = 354), CAM had been prescribed by a physician, while 50% (n = 575) used CAM as self-medication. Patients presented to the Emergency Department mostly because of an infection (42% of total; 29% of these used CAM) or a trauma (38% of total; 19% of these used CAM). Parents of CAM-users were significantly older, more often born in Switzerland and had significantly higher school education than those of the non-users. Nearly two-thirds of the administered CAM therapies were not prescribed by a physician, and 50% of the families using CAM did not discuss this with their general practitioner. Parental requirements implied that medical professionals on a paediatric Emergency Department should know the effects and side-effects of CAM therapies and even be able to recommend them. The study population, even trauma patients, frequently used CAM. The use of CAM is characterised by a high rate of self-medication and the exclusion of the physicians from the decision-making process. The parents of paediatric patients frequently demand that CAM be considered as a possible treatment option and wish to have an open discussion with the medical professionals on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tycho Jan Zuzak
- University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Zuzak TJ, Zuzak-Siegrist I, Rist L, Staubli G, Simoes-Wüst AP. Attitudes towards vaccination: users of complementary and alternative medicine versus non-users. Swiss Med Wkly 2009; 138:713-8. [PMID: 19043817 DOI: 2008/47/smw-12423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PRINCIPLES Children whose parents use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) often show a lower rate of vaccination than those of parents favouring conventional medicine. We have investigated whether this applies to the paediatric patients presenting to an emergency department in German-speaking Switzerland, where popularity of CAM is rather high. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was performed of paediatric patients presenting to an urban, tertiary paediatric emergency department. 1,007 (63%) of the distributed 1,600 questionnaires were available for analysis. RESULTS 12.7% of all respondents reported refusing some basic vaccination: 3.9% because of recommendation of the physician, 8.7% despite their physician's recommendation. Socio-demographic characterisation of the group of patients refusing vaccination showed older age of children, higher proportion of girls, more single-mothers families and decreased household income. Refusal of basic vaccination was significantly more frequent among CAM-users than among non-users (18.2% versus 3.5%, p <0.001). The highest frequencies of refusal were reported by patients who consulted physicians practicing herbal medicine, anthroposophical medicine or homeopathy. Users and non-users of CAM however, showed comparable rates of immunisation in the case of the vaccinations against invasive meningococcal, pneumococcal disease and flu. Surprisingly, the rate for vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis was higher in the CAM-users group than among the non-users (21.2% versus 15.4%, p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS A considerable proportion of the study population did not fully accept basic vaccinations. Refusal to follow the basic vaccination schemata was more frequent among CAM-users than non-users and reflected in most cases parental wishes rather than physicians' recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tycho Jan Zuzak
- University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Zuzak TJ, Zuzak-Siegrist I, Rist L, Staubli G, Simoes-Wüst AP. Attitudes towards vaccination: users of complementary and alternative medicine versus non-users. Swiss Med Wkly 2008; 138:713-8. [PMID: 19043817 DOI: 10.4414/smw.2009.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PRINCIPLES Children whose parents use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) often show a lower rate of vaccination than those of parents favouring conventional medicine. We have investigated whether this applies to the paediatric patients presenting to an emergency department in German-speaking Switzerland, where popularity of CAM is rather high. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was performed of paediatric patients presenting to an urban, tertiary paediatric emergency department. 1,007 (63%) of the distributed 1,600 questionnaires were available for analysis. RESULTS 12.7% of all respondents reported refusing some basic vaccination: 3.9% because of recommendation of the physician, 8.7% despite their physician's recommendation. Socio-demographic characterisation of the group of patients refusing vaccination showed older age of children, higher proportion of girls, more single-mothers families and decreased household income. Refusal of basic vaccination was significantly more frequent among CAM-users than among non-users (18.2% versus 3.5%, p <0.001). The highest frequencies of refusal were reported by patients who consulted physicians practicing herbal medicine, anthroposophical medicine or homeopathy. Users and non-users of CAM however, showed comparable rates of immunisation in the case of the vaccinations against invasive meningococcal, pneumococcal disease and flu. Surprisingly, the rate for vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis was higher in the CAM-users group than among the non-users (21.2% versus 15.4%, p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS A considerable proportion of the study population did not fully accept basic vaccinations. Refusal to follow the basic vaccination schemata was more frequent among CAM-users than non-users and reflected in most cases parental wishes rather than physicians' recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tycho Jan Zuzak
- University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Gerber NU, Zehnder D, Zuzak TJ, Poretti A, Boltshauser E, Grotzer MA. Outcome in children with brain tumours diagnosed in the first year of life: long-term complications and quality of life. Arch Dis Child 2008; 93:582-9. [PMID: 17634182 DOI: 10.1136/adc.2007.116202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the outcome in children with brain tumours diagnosed in the first year of life, we followed up 27 consecutive children who were diagnosed between 1980 and 2005 in a single institution. METHODS Tumour control and neurological, endocrine and cognitive complications and their impact on behavioural and emotional adjustment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were comprehensively assessed in 11 survivors (mean follow-up time 12.3 years). RESULTS Persistent neurological complications occurred in 9/11 patients, endocrine and growth complications in 4/11, and cognitive deficits leading to school problems/impaired choice of occupation in 8/10. Behavioural and psychological adjustment problems were reported by 4/6 patients and 7/10 parents. HRQoL as rated by patients and their parents was considerably lower than that of healthy controls. In comparison with healthy controls, social functioning was rated by the patients and the parents as the QoL dimension most affected. HRQoL was lowest for patients with high-grade tumour histology and more intense therapy. CONCLUSION Long-term survivors of brain tumours diagnosed in the first year of life are not only at great risk of neurological and cognitive complications, but also of social isolation thereby substantially decreasing self-rated HRQoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- N U Gerber
- University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
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Hunziker-Basler N, Zuzak TJ, Eggenschwiler J, Rist L, Simões-Wüst AP, Viviani A. Prolonged cytotoxic effect of aqueous extracts from dried viscum album on bladder cancer cells. Pharmazie 2007; 62:237-8. [PMID: 17416204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous extracts from whole dried mistletoe (Viscum album L., Iscucin) are often used in anti-cancer treatment. We studied the effect of extracts obtained from mistletoe bushes that grew on different host trees on bladder cancer cells by means of MTT-colorimetric cell proliferation/survival assays. The extracts possessed concentration-dependent cytotoxic properties whose extent varied with the host tree, but did not always correlate with the corresponding mistletoe lectin content. A 2-hours treatment of bladder cancer cells triggered a later, strong cytotoxic effect. This prolonged effect suggests that instillation with Iscucin has therapeutic potential for bladder cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Hunziker-Basler
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences, Wädenswil, Switzerland
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Zuzak TJ, Rist L, Eggenschwiler J, Grotzer MA, Viviani A. Paediatric medulloblastoma cells are susceptible to Viscum album (Mistletoe) preparations. Anticancer Res 2006; 26:3485-92. [PMID: 17094471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma constitute more than 20% of all paediatric brain tumours and are the most common malignant brain tumours in children. Adjuvant chemotherapy has seen a strong increase in the use of complementary medicine for cancer treatment. Evidence for cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Viscum album (Mistletoe) in vitro is available, however, no data concerning paediatric tumours, especially paediatric brain tumours, has been provided so far. MATERIALS AND METHODS In order to compare the receptiveness of medulloblastoma cells to different Viscum album preparations, in vitro cytotoxic effects of eight Viscum album extracts on four different paediatric medulloblastoma cell lines were analysed by MTT-Tests. Lectin contents of the extracts were determined to correlate them with the mitochondrial activity of mistletoe-treated cells. Flowcytometric analyses with Annexin V-FITC staining were carried out to quantify the amount of apoptotic cells compared to necrotic and viable cells. RESULTS Data obtained with the medulloblastoma cell lines, Daoy, D342, D425 and UW-288-2, treated with Viscum album preparations from eight dissimilar host trees (Iscucin Abietis, Pini, Populi, Mali, Salicis, Crataegi, Quercus and Tiliae), indicated a significant growth-inhibition of all cell lines, yet the cell susceptibility was dissimilar against the different extracts. The decrease in mitochondrial activity and increase in apoptosis correlated with the lectin content of the used preparation in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION These in vitro results show that paediatric medulloblastoma cells respond to Viscum album preparations, by undergoing cell death through apoptosis and that this growth-inhibition correlates with the lectin content of the used preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Zuzak
- University of Applied Sciences, Waedenswil, Switzerland.
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Eggert A, Grotzer MA, Zuzak TJ, Ikegaki N, Zhao H, Brodeur GM. Expression of Apo-3 and Apo-3L in primitive neuroectodermal tumours of the central and peripheral nervous system. Eur J Cancer 2002; 38:92-8. [PMID: 11750845 DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(01)00347-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Deregulation of apoptosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis, spontaneous regression and treatment resistance of neuroblastoma. A newly recognised member of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-family of death receptors known as Apo-3 has been mapped to human chromosome 1p36.3, a region commonly deleted in aggressive neuroblastoma. Based on its localisation and function, Apo-3 is a candidate for the putative neuroblastoma tumour suppressor gene. Therefore we analysed mRNA expression of the Apo-3 receptor/ligand (Apo-3/Apo-3L) system in a representative panel of 18 neuroblastoma cell lines, 41 primary neuroblastoma and 13 ganglioneuromas/ganglioneuroblastomas by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. We compared the level of expression with the well-established prognostic factors age, stage, histology, MYCN-amplification and TrkA expression, as well as outcome. For comparison, we studied Apo-3/Apo-3L expression in 27 central nervous system (CNS) primitive neuroectodermal tumours/medulloblastomas (PNET/medulloblastoma) and in six normal brain samples. Neuroblastoma cell lines with 1p deletion and MYCN-amplification expressed significantly lower levels of Apo-3 (P=0.009 and P=0.03, respectively) compared with neuroblastoma cell lines without 1p deletion or MYCN-amplification. The mean expression level of Apo-3L was significantly higher in ganglioneuromas/ganglioneuroblastomas compared with neuroblastomas (P=0.001) and in normal brain compared with PNET/medulloblastoma (P<0.0001). Expression of Apo-3L was significantly associated with survival in neuroblastomas (P<0.049) and in PNET/medulloblastomas (P=0.01). Expression of Apo-3 was significantly associated with survival in PNET/medulloblastomas (P=0.03). Thus, the Apo-3 receptor/ligand system might be involved in the regulation of apoptosis in neuroblastomas and PNET.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Eggert
- Division of Oncology and Biostatistics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Zuzak TJ, Steinhoff DF, Sutton LN, Phillips PC, Eggert A, Grotzer MA. Loss of caspase-8 mRNA expression is common in childhood primitive neuroectodermal brain tumour/medulloblastoma. Eur J Cancer 2002; 38:83-91. [PMID: 11750844 DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(01)00355-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Upon binding of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), the agonistic TRAIL receptors DR4 and DR5 activate caspase-8 leading to apoptosis. In primitive neuroectodermal brain tumour (PNET) cell lines, TRAIL-induced apoptosis was recently shown to correlate with caspase-8 mRNA expression (Grotzer MA, Eggert A, Zuzak TJ, et al. Oncogene 2000, 19, 4604-4610). In this study, we analysed the expression of the TRAIL death pathway in 27 primary PNET/medulloblastoma. As shown by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), all PNET/medulloblastoma evaluated expressed DR5, the adapter protein FADD and caspase-3, but only 48% expressed caspase-8. The mRNA expression of caspase-8 was significantly lower in primary PNET/medulloblastoma compared with normal brain samples. PCR revealed >75% methylation of the caspase-8 promoter region in three of seven PNET cell lines and in 55% of the primary PNET/medulloblastoma evaluated. In the PNET cell lines, the methylation status correlated with the caspase-8 mRNA expression. We conclude that loss of caspase-8 gene expression is common in PNET/medulloblastoma suggesting that suppression of death receptor induced apoptosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this common childhood brain tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Zuzak
- Division of Oncology, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
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Eggert A, Grotzer MA, Zuzak TJ, Wiewrodt BR, Ho R, Ikegaki N, Brodeur GM. Resistance to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells correlates with a loss of caspase-8 expression. Cancer Res 2001; 61:1314-9. [PMID: 11245427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Disruption of apoptotic pathways may be involved in tumor formation, regression, and treatment resistance of neuroblastoma (NB). Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a potent inducer of apoptosis in cancer cell lines, whereas normal cells are not sensitive to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. In this study we analyzed the expression and function of TRAIL and its agonistic and antagonistic receptors as well as expression of cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein and caspase-2, -3, -8, -9, and -10 in 18 NB cell lines. Semiquantitative RT-PCR revealed that TRAIL-R2 and TRAIL-R3 are the main TRAIL-receptors used by NB cells. Sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis did not correlate with mRNA expression of TRAIL receptors or cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein. Surprisingly, caspase-8 and caspase-10 mRNA expression was detected in only 5 of 18 NB cell lines. Interestingly, only these five NB cell lines were susceptible to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored mRNA and protein expression of caspase-8 and TRAIL sensitivity of resistant cell lines, suggesting that gene methylation is involved in caspase inactivation. The TRAIL system seems to be functional in NB cells expressing caspase-8 and/or caspase-10. Because many cytotoxic drugs induce caspase-dependent apoptosis, failure to express caspase-8 and/or caspase-10 might be an important mechanism of resistance to chemotherapy in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Eggert
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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Eggert A, Grotzer MA, Zuzak TJ, Wiewrodt BR, Ikegaki N, Brodeur GM. Resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells correlates with a loss of caspase-8 expression. Med Pediatr Oncol 2000; 35:603-7. [PMID: 11107127 DOI: 10.1002/1096-911x(20001201)35:6<603::aid-mpo24>3.0.co;2-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruption of apoptotic pathways may be involved in tumor formation, regression, and treatment resistance of neuroblastoma (NB). TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a potent inducer of apoptosis in cancer cell lines. PROCEDURE In this study we analyzed the expression and function of TRAIL, its agonistic and antagonistic receptors, and important intracellular signaling elements in 18 NB cell lines. RESULTS Semiquantitative RT-PCR revealed that TRAIL-R2 and TRAIL-R3 are the main TRAIL-receptors used by NB cells. Sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis did not correlate with mRNA expression of TRAIL receptors or cFLIP. Surprisingly, caspase-8 and caspase-10 mRNA was detected in only 5 of 18 NB cell lines. Interestingly, only these five NB cell lines were susceptible to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored mRNA expression of caspase-8 and -10 and TRAIL sensitivity of resistant cell lines, suggesting that gene methylation is involved in caspase inactivation. Since many cytotoxic drugs induce caspase-dependent apoptosis, failure to express caspase-8 and/or caspase-10 might be an important mechanism of resistance to chemotherapy in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Eggert
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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Grotzer MA, Eggert A, Zuzak TJ, Janss AJ, Marwaha S, Wiewrodt BR, Ikegaki N, Brodeur GM, Phillips PC. Resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in primitive neuroectodermal brain tumor cells correlates with a loss of caspase-8 expression. Oncogene 2000; 19:4604-10. [PMID: 11030149 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1203816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a potent inducer of apoptosis in adult malignant glioma and various other human solid tumor models but not in normal tissues. To characterize the TRAIL death pathway in childhood primitive neuroectodermal brain tumor (PNET), 8 human PNET cell lines were tested for TRAIL-induced apoptosis. TRAIL-sensitivity of the PNET cell lines was correlated with mRNA expression levels of TRAIL, its agonistic (TRAIL-R1, TRAIL-R2) and antagonistic (TRAIL-R3, TRAIL-R4) receptors, cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (cFLIP), caspase-3 and caspase-8. Three of 8 PNET cell lines tested were susceptible to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis did not correlate with mRNA expression of TRAIL receptors or cFLIP. However, all TRAIL-sensitive PNET cell lines expressed caspase-8 mRNA and protein, while none of the five TRAIL-resistant PNET cell lines expressed caspase-8 protein. Treatment with the methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored mRNA expression of caspase-8 and TRAIL-sensitivity in formerly TRAIL-resistant PNET cells, suggesting that gene methylation inhibits caspase-8 transcription in these cells. We conclude, that loss of caspase-8 mRNA is an important mechanism of TRAIL-resistance in PNET cells. Treatment with recombinant soluble TRAIL, possibly in combination with methyltransferase inhibitors, represents a promising therapeutic approach for PNET that deserves further investigation.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/pharmacology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
- Azacitidine/analogs & derivatives
- Azacitidine/pharmacology
- CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein
- Carrier Proteins/physiology
- Caspase 8
- Caspase 9
- Caspases/biosynthesis
- Caspases/deficiency
- Caspases/genetics
- Caspases/physiology
- Child
- Cycloheximide/pharmacology
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/antagonists & inhibitors
- DNA Methylation/drug effects
- Decitabine
- Drug Resistance
- Enzyme Induction
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
- Jurkat Cells/drug effects
- Jurkat Cells/metabolism
- Membrane Glycoproteins/pharmacology
- Neoplasm Proteins/biosynthesis
- Neoplasm Proteins/deficiency
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/physiology
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/enzymology
- Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/pathology
- Protein Synthesis Inhibitors/pharmacology
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Neoplasm/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/drug effects
- Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology
- TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
- Transcription, Genetic
- Tumor Cells, Cultured/drug effects
- Tumor Cells, Cultured/enzymology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Grotzer
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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