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Hoffmeister L, Huebner J, Keinki C, Muenstedt K. Education of non-medical practitioners in Germany-an analysis of course subjects of specialized schools. Wien Med Wochenschr 2024; 174:189-197. [PMID: 34902098 DOI: 10.1007/s10354-021-00896-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In Germany, non-medical practitioners (NMPs; in German: Heilpraktiker) offer a broad range of complementary and alternative (CAM) methods. Our aim was to characterize schools for NMPs in Germany in terms of basic (medical) training and advanced education. We found 165 schools for NMPs in a systematic web-based search. As the medical board examination NMPs must take before building a practice exclusively tests their knowledge in conventional medicine, schools hardly include training in CAM methods. Only few schools offered education on CAM methods in their NMP training. Although NMP associations framed requirements for NMP education, 83.0% (137/165) of schools did not meet these requirements. Patients and physicians should be aware of the lack of training and consequent risks, such as harm to the body, delay of necessary treatment, and interaction with conventional drugs. Disestablishing the profession of NMPs might be a reasonable step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Hoffmeister
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ortenauklinikum Offenburg, Ebertplatz 12, 77654, Offenburg, Germany
| | - Jutta Huebner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
| | - Christian Keinki
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Karsten Muenstedt
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ortenauklinikum Offenburg, Ebertplatz 12, 77654, Offenburg, Germany
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2
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Schils A, Lechon AS, Rondeaux S, Souard F, Van Laethem JL, Pochet S, Mathieu V, De Vriese C. Cancer patients' behaviors and attitudes toward natural health products. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:442. [PMID: 38057795 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04278-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural health products (NHPs), including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements, are the most common complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients. Our survey determined the attitudes and behaviors of cancer patients toward natural complementary therapies that should be considered to implement an integrative approach in the future. METHODS Our survey was conducted in four hospitals in Belgium. Questionnaires were posted online from October 2020 to October 2021 for cancer patients. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. A [Formula: see text] test was applied to study the type of NHP consumed according to diagnosis time. Fischer's exact test compared patients who had changed their consumption since diagnosis and those who had not. RESULTS Out of 349 questionnaires collected, only 59 met all inclusion criteria. 83.1 % of the patients agreed that conventional medicine (CM) could benefit from complementary therapies, but they did not estimate (72.3 % of the patients) that those latter are more effective than conventional medicine. More than half of the patients used five or more NHPs. The most frequent NHPs consumed daily were vitamins (64.4 %), followed by other products (i.e., probiotics, gemmotherapy, birch sap and omega 3/6) (42.4 %) and herbs (40.7 %). Almost all patients started taking NHPs before their cancer diagnosis, but 72.7 % have changed their consumption significantly (p = 0.009) since their diagnosis. Boosting the immune system (79.7 %) and limiting conventional treatment side effects (76.9 %) were the most common reasons for NHPs' use. 74.4 % of the patients did not take complementary therapies to delay or avoid conventional treatment. CONCLUSIONS The combination and high diversity of NHPs consumption highlight the importance of educating patients and healthcare providers (HCPs) about the risk of drug interactions associated with these natural products. Most cancer patients are more interested in using this non-mainstream medicine to complement their conventional treatment than as an alternative. Knowing the patients' reasons and understanding patients' attitudes toward NHPs will be essential for HCPs to address NHPs' use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Schils
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutics, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe 9040, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne-Sophie Lechon
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutics, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe 9040, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sarah Rondeaux
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutics, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe 9040, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Florence Souard
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutics, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe 9040, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Van Laethem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Pochet
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutics, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe 9040, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Veronique Mathieu
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutics, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe 9040, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carine De Vriese
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutics, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe 9040, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
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Hutten RJ, Weil CR, King AJ, Barney B, Bylund CL, Fagerlin A, Gaffney DK, Gill D, Scherer L, Suneja G, Tward JD, Warner EL, Werner TL, Whipple G, Evans J, Johnson SB. Multi-Institutional Analysis of Cancer Patient Exposure, Perceptions, and Trust in Information Sources Regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine. JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:1000-1008. [PMID: 37722084 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use during cancer treatment is controversial. We aim to evaluate contemporary CAM use, patient perceptions and attitudes, and trust in various sources of information regarding CAM. METHODS A multi-institutional questionnaire was distributed to patients receiving cancer treatment. Collected information included respondents' clinical and demographic characteristics, rates of CAM exposure/use, information sources regarding CAM, and trust in each information source. Comparisons between CAM users and nonusers were performed with chi-squared tests and one-way analysis of variance. Multivariable logistic regression models for trust in physician and nonphysician sources of information regarding CAM were evaluated. RESULTS Among 749 respondents, the most common goals of CAM use were management of symptoms (42.2%) and treatment of cancer (30.4%). Most CAM users learned of CAM from nonphysician sources. Of CAM users, 27% reported not discussing CAM with their treating oncologists. Overall trust in physicians was high in both CAM users and nonusers. The only predictor of trust in physician sources of information was income >$100,000 in US dollars per year. Likelihood of trust in nonphysician sources of information was higher in females and lower in those with graduate degrees. CONCLUSION A large proportion of patients with cancer are using CAM, some with the goal of treating their cancer. Although patients are primarily exposed to CAM through nonphysician sources of information, trust in physicians remains high. More research is needed to improve patient-clinician communication regarding CAM use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Hutten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Christopher R Weil
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Andy J King
- Department of Communication, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Brandon Barney
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Intermountain Cancer Centers, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Carma L Bylund
- Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
| | - Angela Fagerlin
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
- Salt Lake City VA Informatics Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center for Innovation, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - David K Gaffney
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - David Gill
- Department of Medical Oncology, Intermountain Cancer Centers, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Laura Scherer
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Gita Suneja
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Jonathan D Tward
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Echo L Warner
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Theresa L Werner
- Department of Medicine, Oncology Division, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Gary Whipple
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Intermountain Cancer Centers, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Jaden Evans
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Intermountain Cancer Centers, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Skyler B Johnson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
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Wolf U. A Drug Safety Concept (I) to Avoid Polypharmacy Risks in Transplantation by Individual Pharmacotherapy Management in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Immunosuppressants. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2300. [PMID: 37765269 PMCID: PMC10535417 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
For several, also vital medications, such as immunosuppressants in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) remains the only strategy for fine-tuning the dosage to the individual patient. Especially in severe clinical complications, the intraindividual condition of the patient changes abruptly, and in addition, drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can significantly impact exposure, due to concomitant medication alterations. Therefore, a single TDM value can hardly be the sole basis for optimal timely dose adjustment. Moreover, every intraindividually varying situation that affects the drug exposure needs synoptic consideration for the earliest adjustment. To place the TDM value in the context of the patient's most detailed current condition and concomitant medications, the Individual Pharmacotherapy Management (IPM) was implemented in the posttransplant TDM of calcineurin inhibitors assessed by the in-house laboratory. The first strategic pillar are the defined patient scores from the electronic patient record. In this synopsis, the Summaries of Product Characteristics (SmPCs) of each drug from the updated medication list are reconciled for contraindication, dosing, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and DDIs, accounting for defined medication scores as a second pillar. In parallel, IPM documents the resulting review of each TDM value chronologically in a separate electronic Excel file throughout each patient's transplant course. This longitudinal overview provides a further source of information at a glance. Thus, the applied two-arm concept of TDM and IPM ensures an individually tailored immunosuppression in the severely susceptible early phase of transplantation through digital interdisciplinary networking, with instructive and educative recommendations to the attending physicians in real-time. This concept of contextualizing a TDM value to the precise patient's condition and comedication was established at Halle University Hospital to ensure patient, graft, and drug safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Wolf
- Pharmacotherapy Management, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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Bazrafshani MS, Pardakhty A, Kalantari Khandani B, Tajadini H, Ghazanfari Pour S, Hashemi S, Amiri S, Mehmandoost S, Beigzadeh A, Abbaszadeh S, Sharifi H. The prevalence and predictors of herb-drug interactions among Iranian cancer patients during chemotherapy courses. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:41. [PMID: 36750849 PMCID: PMC9903537 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-03869-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The concurrent usage of herbal medicines with conventional therapies is an important concern in cancer treatment which can lead to unexpected consequences like herb-drug interactions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of potential herb-drug interactions and to predict factors associated with herb-drug interactions for cancer patients. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 315 cancer patients referring to the oncology clinics of Kerman city in 2018. Data were collected via comprehensive face-to-face interviews and medical chart reviews. A drug interaction checker was used to determine herb-drug interactions. The information of patients was compared based on herb-drug interactions using bivariable logistic regression models, and predictors were determined by the multivariable logistic regression model. All analyses were performed by Stata software version 16. RESULTS Of 262 patients (83.2% of the patients) who used herbal medicines, 209 patients [79.8% (95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 75.2 - 85.1)] had potential herb-drug interactions. Chamomile was the most popular herbal medicine (n = 163, 78.0%), and minor and moderate herb-drug interactions were caused by green tea (n = 34, 16.3%) and peppermint (n = 78, 37.5%). The number of chemotherapeutic agents (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.43-2.58; P-value < 0.0001) and the experienced of pain during chemotherapy courses (OR = 2.22, 95%CI:1.00-4.94; P-value = 0.04) were some of the predictors of herb-drug interactions among cancer patients. CONCLUSION Herbal medicine use during chemotherapy was found prevalent among cancer patients; of them, the experience of potential herb-drug interactions was highly frequent. Oncologists and clinical pharmacologists are recommended to take into account challenges associated with herb-drug interactions in their routine practices, particularly during chemotherapy among these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliheh Sadat Bazrafshani
- grid.412105.30000 0001 2092 9755HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914111 Iran
| | - Abbas Pardakhty
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Behjat Kalantari Khandani
- grid.412105.30000 0001 2092 9755Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology Division, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Haleh Tajadini
- grid.412105.30000 0001 2092 9755Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sadra Ghazanfari Pour
- grid.412105.30000 0001 2092 9755Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sara Hashemi
- grid.412105.30000 0001 2092 9755Departement of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Shiva Amiri
- grid.412105.30000 0001 2092 9755Pharmaceutics Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran ,grid.412105.30000 0001 2092 9755Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Soheil Mehmandoost
- grid.412105.30000 0001 2092 9755HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914111 Iran
| | | | - Samaneh Abbaszadeh
- grid.412105.30000 0001 2092 9755HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914111 Iran
| | - Hamid Sharifi
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, 7616914111, Iran.
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6
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Dietary supplement use and recommendations for discontinuation in an integrative oncology clinic. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:40. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07504-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Himmelreich F, Jetter A, Kiessling MK, Kadvany Y, Trojan A. Interference of Herbal Medicine with Axitinib in Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Treatment: A Case Study. Case Rep Oncol 2023; 16:1362-1369. [PMID: 37954127 PMCID: PMC10635677 DOI: 10.1159/000534595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The awareness and the clinical relevance of the potential interactions between standard and complementary medicine are increasing in medical oncology. Nonetheless, the research and experience of the efficacy, safety, and toxicity of herbal substances are poorly documented. Case Presentation Here, we report the case of a 68-year-old female patient who had been diagnosed with advanced renal cell cancer with metastasis in the liver and pancreas and had undergone surgical resection with hemi-hepatectomy and resection of metastasis in the pancreas in November 2021. Thereafter, chemotherapy was immediately initiated with three-weekly infusions of pembrolizumab and daily intake of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor axitinib. Surprisingly, 3 months after initiation of systemic treatment, the patient developed early progression and metastasis in the liver, which was then treated with selective internal radiotherapy. Despite continued axitinib and pembrolizumab treatment, a short-term follow-up in November 2022 revealed another metastatic lesion in her pancreas. Due to the presumed lack of response to treatment, the plasma concentration of axitinib was measured and found to demonstrate subtherapeutic levels of exposure. Upon extended anamnesis, the patient reported regular intake of herbal substances prescribed by her oncology acupuncturist for gastrointestinal complaints associated with the primary operation. Conclusion Further clinical-pharmacological workup strikingly demonstrated a reduction of the therapeutic concentration of axitinib of about 90%, likely caused by herbal drugs such as Dang gui and Bai zhu.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Jetter
- Tox Info Suisse, National Poison Centre, Associated Institute of the University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Andreas Trojan
- Oncology, Seespital Horgen, Zurich, Switzerland
- Mobile Health AG, Zurich, Switzerland
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Büntzel J, Mücke R, Kisters K, Micke O. [Essential trace elements, vitamins, and selected electrolytes in complementary medicine for cancer patients]. UROLOGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 62:12-16. [PMID: 36454272 DOI: 10.1007/s00120-022-01985-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Are there any evidence-based medicine (EBM)-supported treatment approaches of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods for urological oncologists? METHODS We reviewed the actual German S3 guidelines "Supportive Care" and "Complementary Medicine" as well as the online-tool Onkopedia for recommendations about essential trace elements (Zn, Se, Mn, Fe), vitamins (A, B, C, D, E), and electrolytes (Mg, Ca). Furthermore, we added results of randomized trials to present potential future developments. RESULTS Each therapy with micronutrients should be based on laboratory observation of a deficit. There are selected guideline recommendations for selenium, iron and vitamin D. Potential indications were registered for manganese, vitamin A derivates, and vitamin C. No benefit was observed for vitamin B, zinc, and vitamin E. CONCLUSION Micronutrients should be substituted in the case of deficit. General supplementation of daily nutrition is not recommended for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Büntzel
- Klinik für HNO-Erkrankungen, Kopf-Hals-Chirurgie, Südharz Klinikum Nordhausen, Dr.-Robert-Kocht-Str. 39, 99734, Nordhausen, Deutschland. .,Arbeitskreis "Spurenelemente und Elektrolyte in der Onkologie" (AKTE) Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Deutschland.
| | - Ralph Mücke
- Standort Bad Kreuznach, MVZ Strahlentherapie RheinMainNahe, Bad Kreuznach, Deutschland.,Arbeitskreis "Spurenelemente und Elektrolyte in der Onkologie" (AKTE) Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Deutschland
| | - Klaus Kisters
- Klinik für Innere Medizin, St. Anna Hospital Herne, Herne, Deutschland.,Arbeitskreis "Spurenelemente und Elektrolyte in der Onkologie" (AKTE) Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Deutschland
| | - Oliver Micke
- Klinik für Strahlentherapie, Franziskus-Hospital Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Deutschland.,Arbeitskreis "Spurenelemente und Elektrolyte in der Onkologie" (AKTE) Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Deutschland
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Krejbich P, Birringer M. The Self-Administered Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Supplements and Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy and the Critical Role of Nrf-2-A Systematic Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:2149. [PMID: 36358521 PMCID: PMC9686580 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11112149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) supplements are widely used by cancer patients. Dietary supplements, vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, and antioxidants are especially popular. In a systematic literature review, 37 studies, each including more than 1000 participants, on CAM, dietary supplement, and vitamin use among cancer patients were identified. Accordingly, cancer patients use antioxidants such as vitamin C (from 2.6% (United Kingdom) to 41.6% (United States)) and vitamin E (from 2.9% (China) to 48% (United States)). Dietary supplements and vitamins are taken for different reasons, but often during conventional cancer treatment involving chemotherapy or radiotherapy and in a self-decided manner without seeking medical advice from healthcare professionals. Drug-drug interactions with dietary supplements or vitamins involving multiple signaling pathways are well described. Since most of the anticancer drugs generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), an adaptive stress response of healthy and malignant cells, mainly driven by the Nrf-2-Keap I network, can be observed. On the one hand, healthy cells should be protected from ROS-overproducing chemotherapy and radiotherapy; on the other hand, ROS production in cancer cells is a "desirable side effect" during anticancer drug treatment. We here describe the paradoxical use of antioxidants and supplements during cancer therapy, possible interactions with anticancer drugs, and the involvement of the Nrf-2 transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Krejbich
- Department of Nutritional, Food and Consumer Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Leipziger Straße 123, 36037 Fulda, Germany
- Wissenschaftliches Zentrum für Ernährung, Lebensmittel und Nachhaltige Versorgungssysteme (ELVe), Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Leipziger Straße 123, 36037 Fulda, Germany
- Public Health Zentrum Fulda, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Leipziger Straße 123, 36037 Fulda, Germany
| | - Marc Birringer
- Department of Nutritional, Food and Consumer Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Leipziger Straße 123, 36037 Fulda, Germany
- Wissenschaftliches Zentrum für Ernährung, Lebensmittel und Nachhaltige Versorgungssysteme (ELVe), Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Leipziger Straße 123, 36037 Fulda, Germany
- Public Health Zentrum Fulda, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Leipziger Straße 123, 36037 Fulda, Germany
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Hu J, Jiang J, Liu R, Cheng M, Zhu G, He S, Shi B, Zhao Y, He Z, Yu H, Zhang X, Zheng H, Hua B. Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Medicine Preparations Combined With Chemotherapy for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:828450. [PMID: 35280766 PMCID: PMC8904728 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.828450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Traditional medicine preparations (TMPs) combined with chemotherapy is widely used for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC); however, its efficacy and safety are still unclear. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of TMPs combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of APC. Methods A systematic search of eight electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted from inception to October 15, 2021. Tumor response was identified as primary outcome, whereas quality of life (QoL), cancer biomarkers, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were identified as secondary outcomes. Quality of the evidence for each outcome was evaluated by GRADE profiler. Results In total, 31 RCTs involving 1,989 individuals were included. This meta-analysis showed that TMPs combined with chemotherapy significantly improved the objective response rate (ORR) (RR=1.64, 95% CI [1.43 to 1.88], p <0.00001), disease control rate (DCR) (RR=1.29, 95% CI [1.21 to 1.38], p <0.00001), and QoL (continuous data: SMD=0.81, 95% CI [0.44 to 1.18], p <0.0001, dichotomous data: RR=1.44, 95% CI [1.22 to 1.70], p<0.0001), compared to those with chemotherapy alone. In addition, the combined treatment group also had lower levels of CA19-9 (SMD=-0.46, 95% CI [-0.90 to -0.02], p=0.04) and CEA (SMD=-0.55, 95% CI [-0.93 to -0.17], p=0.004). Moreover, TMPs reduced the ADRs during chemotherapy. Conclusion This systematic review suggests that TMPs combined with chemotherapy might be a potential option to enhance therapeutic effects and reduce ADRs during the treatment of APC. However, more high-quality randomized controlled trials with more participants are needed. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=209825, identifier PROSPERO Number: CRD42021264938.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Hu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Juling Jiang
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengqi Cheng
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guanghui Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shulin He
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Bolun Shi
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongning He
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huibo Yu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Honggang Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baojin Hua
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Thai Gynecologic Oncology Patients: Influencing Factors. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:1322390. [PMID: 34804172 PMCID: PMC8598354 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1322390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background To determine the factors influencing the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in gynecologic cancer patients and the prevalence and pattern of CAM use. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 370 gynecologic cancer patients conducted at the outpatient clinic, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. After obtaining informed consent, participants were asked to complete a standardized questionnaire including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, detail of CAM use, attitude of CAM use, and quality of life using EORTC-QLQ-C30. Results The prevalence of CAM use was 25.13%. The most common type was herbal medicine (55.90%). The participants who resided or had a birthplace in rural areas presented with a higher proportion of CAM use than those in urban areas (P=0.470 and P=0.004, respectively). Participants who received multiple modalities of cancer treatment reported a significantly higher proportion of CAM use (P=0.024). Most CAM users agreed that the CAM could be used in combination with standard treatment, and some rather disagreed that CAM could interrupt the treatment effect of the conventional treatment. CAM users had significantly higher role functioning in quality-of-life scores. Conclusion Factors influencing CAM use in gynecologic cancer patients were rural area birthplace or residency, receiving multiple modalities of cancer treatment, having positive attitude toward CAM use. CAM users had better performance in role functioning in the quality-of-life score. Therefore, gynecologic oncologists should pay attention to these factors in order to communicate with gynecologic cancer patients about CAM use.
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Effects of yoga in men with prostate cancer on quality of life and immune response: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2021; 25:531-538. [PMID: 34815548 PMCID: PMC9124736 DOI: 10.1038/s41391-021-00470-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer is associated with anxiety, fear, and depression in up to one-third of men. Yoga improves health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with several types of cancer, but evidence of its efficacy in enhancing QoL is lacking in prostate cancer. Methods In this randomized controlled study, 29 men newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer were randomized to yoga for 6 weeks (n = 14) or standard-of-care (n = 15) before radical prostatectomy. The primary outcome was self-reported QoL, assessed by the Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT–F), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) at baseline, preoperatively, and 6 weeks postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were changes in immune cell status and cytokine levels with yoga. Results The greatest benefit of yoga on QoL was seen in EPIC-sexual (mean difference, 8.5 points), FACIT-F (6.3 points), FACT-Functional wellbeing (8.6 points), FACT-physical wellbeing (5.5 points), and FACT-Social wellbeing (14.6 points). The yoga group showed increased numbers of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, more production of interferon-gamma by natural killer cells, and increased Fc receptor III expression in natural killer cells. The yoga group also showed decreased numbers of regulatory T-cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, indicating antitumor activity, and reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [0.55 (0.05–1.05), p = 0.03], monocyte chemoattractant protein [0.22 (0.01–0.43), p = 0.04], and FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand [0.91 (−0.01, 1.82), p = 0.053]. Conclusions Perioperative yoga exercise improved QoL, promoted an immune response, and attenuated inflammation in men with prostate cancer. Yoga is feasible in this setting and has benefits that require further investigation. Trial registration clinicaltrials.org (NCT02620033).
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