Food-Derived Polyphenols
Genistein prevents pancreatic cancer cell growth
primarily by regulating sugar metabolism (Boros LG et al 2001). In
addition, genistein inactivates NF-kappa B (Li Y et al 2005), thus
sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents such as Gemzar®
(Banerjee S et al 2005), cisplatin and docetaxel (Li Y et al 2004), and
VP-16 and doxorubicin (Sato T et al 2003). In laboratory experiments,
genistein has been shown to improve survival, reduce tumor blood-vessel
development (Buchler P et al 2004), almost completely inhibit cancer
metastasis, and increase cancer cell suicide (Buchler P et al 2003).
If the pathology report shows that the pancreatic cancer cells have
a mutated p53 oncogene, or if there is no p53 detected, then high-dose
genistein therapy may be appropriate (Choi YH et al 2000; Wilson LC et
al 2003). If the pathology report shows a functional p53, then
genistein is less effective in stopping cancer growth. The suggested
dose of genistein is approximately 500 mg daily (Miltyk W et al 2003;
Takimoto CH et al 2003).
Green Tea. Tea is particularly rich in polyphenols
such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that act as antioxidants. Black
and green tea extracts reduce pancreatic tumor cell growth by
approximately 90 percent while preventing angiogenesis (Maiti TK et al
2003; Masamune A et al 2005; Roomi MW et al 2005). They also decrease
the expression of the K-ras gene (Lyn-Cook BD et al 1999a) and the
invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells (Takada M et al 2002). Animal
experiments of pancreatic cancer show that tea polyphenols restrain
carcinogen-induced increases in oxidative DNA damage (Frei B et al
2003).
Green tea extract curbs the process of pancreatic cancer development
(Lyn-Cook BD et al 1999b) and the promotion of transplanted human
pancreatic cancer in animals, and also causes pancreatic cancer cell
death (Hiura A et al 1997; Qanungo S et al 2005).
In humans, an inverse relationship was observed between the amount
of green tea consumed and the risk of developing pancreatic cancer; the
highest intake was associated with the lowest risk of cancer (Ji BT et
al 1997). In clinical studies, green tea supplementation has been shown
to be safe and protective (Ahn WS et al 2003; Chow HH et al 2001; Chow
HH et al 2003).
Antioxidants. Free radicals can cause repeated
damage to normal cells and reduce the function of injured tissues. When
sufficient antioxidants are available, free radicals are removed before
excess damage occurs. Antioxidant levels are reduced in pancreatic
cancer compared to other pancreatic diseases and healthy pancreatic
tissue, resulting in increases in reactive oxygen (Cullen JJ et al
2003) that are capable of stimulating cancer cell division (Garcea G et
al 2005; Vaquero EC et al 2004).
Increased levels of some antioxidants may be useful in slowing the
growth of pancreatic cancer (Weydert C et al 2003). Vitamins A, C, and
E, as well as selenium, increase antioxidants in the body needed to
reduce free-radical damage (Woutersen RA et al 1999).
Vitamins A, C, and E. In animals in which
pancreatic cancer was caused by chemicals, cancer incidence was
decreased by 64.3 percent by vitamin A and by 71.4 percent with vitamin
C. Both vitamins increased SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity and were
toxic to tumor cells but not to normal healthy cells (Wenger FA et al
2001).
- An overview of 14 randomized trials (with a total of 170,525
patients) showed significant effects of supplementation with
beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, E, and selenium (alone or in combination)
versus placebo on pancreatic cancer incidence (Bjelakovic G et al
2004).
- A study of 23 pancreatic cancer patients tested retinol
palmitate (vitamin A) and beta-interferon with chemotherapy. Eight
patients responded and eight patients had stable disease. For all
patients, median time to disease progression and survival time were 6.1
months and 11 months, respectively. Toxicity was high, but patients who
had responses and disease stabilization had prolonged symptom relief
(Recchia F et al 1998).
- Retinoids curb the growth and adhesion of a variety of
pancreatic cancer types, even those that previously have been
documented to be resistant to retinoids (El-Metwally TH et al 1999).
Vitamin E succinate restrained pancreatic cancer cell growth in
laboratory experiments (Heisler T et al 2000).
- Ascorbyl stearate, a fat-soluble form of ascorbic acid
(vitamin C), markedly restrained the growth of—and even
killed—pancreatic cancer cells (Naidu KA et al 2003).
Selenium. Selenium and beta-carotene were found to
restrain the growth of pancreatic tumors caused by carcinogen exposure
in mice (Appel MJ et al 1996). Selenium levels were found to be reduced
in pancreatic cancer patients who underwent surgery to remove the upper
portion of their intestine (Armstrong T et al 2002). In preclinical
studies, a diet high in selenium reduced the number of
carcinogen-induced pancreatic cancers significantly (Kise Y et al
1990).
Curcumin has many anticancer effects. It is a
selective inhibitor of the COX-2 enzyme and may be beneficial in
preventing and treating pancreatic cancer (Cuendet M et al 2000). It
decreases NF-kappa B activity, which is involved in controlling the
growth of pancreatic cancer cells (Li L et al 2004). It also inhibits
interleukin-8 (IL-8) production, which affects invasiveness, cell
growth, and tumor blood-vessel development (Hidaka H et al 2002).
Complementary Alternative Therapies
PSK (Polysaccharide K). PSK is a protein-bound
polysaccharide derived from the mycelium of the mushroom Coriolus
versicolor (Tsukagoshi S et al 1984). In Japan, PSK is used as a
non-specific biological response modifier to enhance the immune system
in cancer patients (Koda K et al 2003; Noguchi K et al 1995; Yokoe T et
al 1997). PSK suppresses tumor cell invasiveness by down-regulating
several invasion-related factors (Zhang H et al 2000). Also, PSK can
enhance pancreatic cancer cell death induced by Taxotere® (docetaxel)
(Zhang H et al 2003).
Two patients who had unresectable pancreatic cancer were treated
with combined chemotherapy using cisplatin, PSK, and UFT
(uracil-tegafur). During therapy, a partial response was observed, with
a remarkable decrease in tumor size and no significant side effects.
From the results of these two cases, this combination chemotherapy was
considered to be one of the most effective therapies available for
pancreatic cancer (Sohma M et al 1987). PSK has been used as adjuvant
immunotherapy for cancer at a dose of 3 grams daily (Ito K et al 2004;
Ohwada S et al 2004; Toge T et al 2000).
Ukrain (NSC-631570). Ukrain, a semisynthetic agent,
has been used in complementary medicine for more than 20 years to treat
benign and malignant tumors. In a phase II trial of advanced pancreatic
cancer patients, Ukrain either alone or together with Gemzar®
(gemcitabine) was found to be well-tolerated with only moderate
toxicity, and doubled median survival times (Gansauge F et al 2002). In
another study, Ukrain improved the quality of life of patients
suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer while significantly
prolonging their survival time (Zemskov V et al 2002).
Vitamin Depot Online.com Foundation Recommendations
Pancreatic cancer is a rapidly progressive disease with generally
poor survival time. The goal of therapy is to strengthen pancreatic
function, impede cancer growth and spread, and reduce the severity of
symptoms. Various nutritional supplements outlined in this chapter have
been shown to help pancreatic cancer patients by slowing disease
progression or increasing quality of life.
Guidelines for Reducing Pancreatic Cancer Risk
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Avoid or reduce exposure to toxic chemicals and petroleum products.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Reduce dietary intake of fried foods, red meat, and meat products.
- Increase intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
- Reduce sugar consumption (glycemic load).
- Increase physical activity.
- Maintain a diet suitable for diabetics that restricts simple
carbohydrates such as sugar and emphasizes complex carbohydrates
(fibers) and proteins (refer to the Diabetes protocol). Protein
supplements such as soy and essential fatty acids such as borage and
fish oils will help by altering the dietary intake ratio of
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
If pancreatic cancer patients are to improve their odds of achieving
a remission or long-term survival, they should attempt to integrate
into their conventional therapy as many of the following dietary
changes and supplements as possible, but only under a physician’s
supervision.
Innovative Drug Strategies
The following should be used only under a physician’s supervision:
- Pancreatic enzymes (by prescription)—1000 to 10,000 U lipase per kg
of body weight per meal (Schibli S et al 2002). Delayed-release
preparations (capsules containing enteric-coated microspheres, such as
Creon®) are reportedly less susceptible to acid inactivation.
- Antacids or a histamine H2-receptor antagonist (cimetidine,
Tagamet®) have been used to decrease the inactivation of pancreatic
enzyme activity.
- Celebrex® (celecoxib)—400 mg twice daily.
- Zyflo® (zileuton)—400 to 800 mg twice daily (except for those with active liver disease).
- Ukrain (NSC-631570). Ukrain is supplied as a solution ready
for injection. A Ukrain therapy cycle consists of 10 mg taken
intravenously every other day for 20 days. A vitamin C cycle is added
to the Ukrain cycle, 3 grams taken intravenously every other day, and
2.4 grams taken orally in three divided doses on the same days, for 20
days (Zemskov V et al 2002).
|
Product Availability
All the nutrients and supplements discussed in this section are
available through the Vitamin Depot Online.com Foundation Buyers Club, Inc. For
ordering information, call anytime toll-free 1-800-544-4440, or visit
us online at www.LifeExtension.com.
The blood tests discussed in this section are available through Life
Extension National Diagnostics, Inc. For ordering information, call
anytime toll-free 1-800-208-3444, or visit us online at
www.LifeExtension.com.
Pancreatic Cancer Safety Caveats
An aggressive program of dietary supplementation should not be
launched without the supervision of a qualified physician. Several of
the nutrients suggested in this protocol may have adverse effects.
These include:
Beta-Carotene
- Do not take beta-carotene if you smoke. Daily intake of 20
milligrams or more has been associated with a higher incidence of lung
cancer in smokers.
- Taking 30 milligrams or more daily for prolonged periods can
cause carotenoderma, a yellowish skin discoloration (carotenoderma can
be distinguished from jaundice because the whites of the eyes are not
discolored in carotenoderma).
Curcumin
- Do not take curcumin if you have a bile duct obstruction or a
history of gallstones. Taking curcumin can stimulate bile production.
- Consult your doctor before taking curcumin if you have
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a history of peptic ulcer
disease.
- Consult your doctor before taking curcumin if you take
warfarin or antiplatelet drugs. Curcumin can have antithrombotic
activity.
- Always take curcumin with food. Curcumin may cause gastric
irritation, ulceration, gastritis, and peptic ulcer disease if taken on
an empty stomach.
- Curcumin can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
EPA/DHA
- Consult your doctor before taking EPA/DHA if you take warfarin
(Coumadin). Taking EPA/DHA with warfarin may increase the risk of
bleeding.
- Discontinue using EPA/DHA 2 weeks before any surgical procedure.
Fiber
- Take fiber supplements with a full 8-ounce glass of water.
- Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily while taking fiber.
Garlic
- Garlic has blood-thinning, anticlotting properties.
- Discontinue using garlic before any surgical procedure.
- Garlic can cause headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vertigo,
watery eyes, asthma, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and
diarrhea.
- Ingesting large amounts of garlic can cause bad breath and body odor.
Genistein
- Consult your doctor before taking genistein/genistin if you have prostate cancer.
- Do not take genistein/genistin if you have estrogen receptor–positive tumors.
- Genistein/genistin can cause hypothyroidism in some people.
GLA
- Consult your doctor before taking GLA if you take warfarin
(Coumadin). Taking GLA with warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding.
- Discontinue using GLA 2 weeks before any surgical procedure.
- GLA can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
Green Tea
- Consult your doctor before taking green tea extract if you take
aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin). Taking green tea extract and aspirin or
warfarin can increase the risk of bleeding.
- Discontinue using green tea extract 2 weeks before any surgical procedure. Green tea extract may decrease platelet aggregation.
- Green tea extract contains caffeine, which may produce a
variety of symptoms including restlessness, nausea, headache, muscle
tension, sleep disturbances, and rapid heartbeat.
Selenium
- High doses of selenium (1000 micrograms or more daily) for prolonged periods may cause adverse reactions.
- High doses of selenium taken for prolonged periods may cause
chronic selenium poisoning. Symptoms include loss of hair and nails or
brittle hair and nails.
- Selenium can cause rash, breath that smells like garlic, fatigue, irritability, and nausea and vomiting.
Vitamin A
- Do not take vitamin A if you have hypervitaminosis A.
- Do not take vitamin A if you take retinoids or retinoid
analogues (such as acitretin, all-trans-retinoic acid, bexarotene,
etretinate, and isotretinoin). Vitamin A can add to the toxicity of
these drugs.
- Do not take large amounts of vitamin A. Taking large amounts
of vitamin A may cause acute or chronic toxicity. Early signs and
symptoms of chronic toxicity include dry, rough skin; cracked lips;
sparse, coarse hair; and loss of hair from the eyebrows. Later signs
and symptoms of toxicity include irritability, headache, pseudotumor
cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension), elevated serum liver
enzymes, reversible noncirrhotic portal high blood pressure, fibrosis
and cirrhosis of the liver, and death from liver failure.
Vitamin C
- Do not take vitamin C if you have a history of kidney stones or of
kidney insufficiency (defined as having a serum creatine level greater
than 2 milligrams per deciliter and/or a creatinine clearance less than
30 milliliters per minute.
- Consult your doctor before taking large amounts of vitamin C
if you have hemochromatosis, thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia, sickle
cell anemia, or erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
deficiency. You can experience iron overload if you have one of these
conditions and use large amounts of vitamin C.
Zinc
- High doses of zinc (above 30 milligrams daily) can cause adverse reactions.
- Zinc can cause a metallic taste, headache, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
- High doses of zinc can lead to copper deficiency and hypochromic microcytic anemia secondary to zinc-induced copper deficiency.
- High doses of zinc may suppress the immune system. High doses of zinc may be immunosuppressive.
For more information see the Safety Appendix |
PSK sources
A PSK/Japanese formula called VPS® Coriolus versicolor is available from JHS Natural Products and can be ordered online (http://www.jhsnp.com) or by calling 1-888-330-4691 (toll-free in the U.S. only) or 1-541-344-1396 for international callers.
Each capsule of VPS® Coriolus versicolor extract contains 625 mg,
requiring five capsules daily to equal the 3-gram dosage. The
manufacturer recommends that the daily dose be split between morning
and evening, taking three capsules in the morning and two capsules in
the evening, as close to 12 hours apart as possible, preferably on an
empty stomach or with a light meal.
DRUG AVAILABILITY
For information on how to obtain Ukrain, please contact:
Ukrainian Anticancer Institute
Velyka Zhytomyrska 17/28,
Kiev, Ukraine
Tel: (+380) 44 27237191
Fax: (+380) 44 2723791
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