Managing immunity in resistant cancer patients correlates to survival: results and discussion of a pilot study

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anca G. Gocan ◽  
Doris Bachg ◽  
A.E. Schindler ◽  
U.D. Rohr
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
The Body ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Strong Reduction ◽  
Cancer Symptoms ◽  
New Findings

AbstractMany cancer patients do not die due to impaired organ functions, but as a result of reduced general conditions, such as cachexia, sarcopenia, depression, infections, or stress. Reduced general health may be caused by immune modifying cytokines released from the tumor into the body. Improvement of immunity would not only reduce cancer side effects through inhibiting cytokine release from the tumor into the blood, but also, according to a new hypothesis, modify the cancer stem cells (CSC) in the tumor, which are believed to drive cancer growth and metastasis. We reported previously several investigations with a dietary fermented soy formulation (FSWW08) in cancer patients, where we saw a) strong reduction of cancer symptoms, b) broken resistance to chemotherapy, and c) a strong reduction of chemotherapy’s toxic side effects, when taken in combination. This publication reports two new findings from a pilot study with postsurgical, treatment resistant patients conducted over four years. First, neither treatment resistance nor side effects were observed. Second, more patients have survived than expected. The improved health and immunity is detected together with increased CSC differentiation, suggesting lower aggressiveness, which was corroborated by increased gene expressions, particularly of steroidal hormones, MAPkinase, NF-κB, and tumor suppressor factor p53, a typical marker of “stemness” or cell differentiation. Although limited by its small, homogenous sample size, the results of this pilot study illustrate the relationship between CSCs differentiation, and the clinical symptoms of immunity, which influence survival outcomes and raise the clinical potential of measuring CSCs in ovarian, prostate, and breast cancers. The improved survival rates are also seen in larger cohort studies, which show similar gene expression profiles, which were induced by FSWW08 in the treatment resistant cancer patients in this study.

Treatment of Aggressive Behavior in Dementia With the Anticonvulsant Topiramate: A Retrospective Pilot Study

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benny Fhager ◽  
Inga-Maj Meiri ◽  
Magnus Sjögren ◽  
Åke Edman
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Extrapyramidal Side Effects ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Careful Treatment ◽  
And Training ◽  
Low Dosage

Aggressive behavior in dementia often has a severe impact on the quality of life of the patient and the caregivers, and is therefore important to handle. The strategy of treatment should be broad. Nonpharmacological interventions, including environmental adjustments and supporting and training the caregivers, should always be considered. Pharmacological treatment of aggressive behavior in patients with dementia often includes the use of neuroleptics. The atypical compounds clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine have been shown to have an effect on aggressive behavior at low dosage with limited extrapyramidal side effects. The anticonvulsants carbamazepine and sodium valproate are further alternatives. In treatment-resistant cases, buspirone or lithium may be tried, although the effect of these substances on aggressive behavior in dementia has not been well established. In the end, however, a considerable degree of aggressive behavior sometimes remains after careful treatment trials, particularly in patients with severe aggressive behavior. In addition, treatment is sometimes limited by side effects.

scholarly journals What you do not know Could Hurt You: What Women Wish their Doctors Had Told them about Chemotherapy Side Effects on Memory and Response to Alcohol

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. BCBCR.S38389
Author(s):  
Carmen E. Couvertier-Lebron ◽  
Rachel Dove ◽  
Summer F. Acevedo
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Medical Professional ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Female Cancer Patients ◽  
Survey Results

For many patients, a cancer diagnosis is followed by chemotherapy treatment, which works by attacking cells that are growing and dividing throughout the body. Although cancer cells grow and divide more quickly than healthy cells, both are targets. The loss of healthy cells is associated with side effects, such as memory loss and altered response to a variety of food and drugs. In this pilot study, we use the “Survey of female cancer treatments, effects on memory and alcohol awareness” to explore trends in female experience and awareness of side effects associated with chemotherapy. We examined 79 female cancer patients, 46 Spanish-speaking women in Puerto Rico and 33 English-speaking women in the continental United States, and compared the rates of a reported memory loss or an altered ethanol response following chemotherapy, whether or not potential side effects were discussed with a medical professional, and whether they experienced changes in alcohol consumption after treatment. A majority of participants reported having experienced short-term memory loss postchemotherapy. Changes in response to alcohol and an altered sensitivity to alcohol were also reported by 25%–47% of the respondents. Additionally, more than half of all female cancer patients reported that they wished they would have received information on the side effects of chemotherapy and secondary medications prior to treatment. The survey results suggest that medical professionals are not adequately informing women of common, potentially harmful side effects of chemotherapy. Women do wish to be more educated about potential side effects related to memory and alcohol and be given the opportunity to discuss potential outcomes with a medical professional prior to treatment to reduce the negative impact of treatment-related side effects on posttreatment quality of life.

A pilot study of insomnia and lung cancer symptoms in early stage lung cancer patients

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (14_suppl) ◽  
pp. 7269-7269
Author(s):  
J. Garst ◽  
M. Rumble ◽  
J. Edinger ◽  
L. Porter ◽  
P. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Early Stage Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Symptoms ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Stage Lung Cancer

scholarly journals Ozone therapy can be considered as an integrative therapy in oncology? [abstract]

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Tordiglione ◽  
Fabio Silvio Mario Araimo ◽  
Carmela Imperiale ◽  
S. Zancla
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
System Quality ◽  
Ozone Therapy ◽  
Integrative Therapy ◽  
Antioxidant Defence System

BACKGROUND: Our group in Policlinic Umberto I - University Hospital of Sapienza Rome - has decided to further investigate if Ozone therapy can be of support in oncology. In literature it has been reported that ozone applications in oncology or in cancer cells is associated with: high efficiency in preventing chemotherapy complications (nausea, vomiting, opportunistic infections, asthenia) as well as confining or restricting the expansion of tumours.(1-5) PURPOSE: The aim of our study in to evaluate and eventually confirm the validity of ozone treatments in order to consider such procedures as a possible and concrete support therapy for oncology patients undertaking chemotherapy. A statistical significance and clinical evaluation of our work would finally give a scientifically validation, still missing, to officially consider ozone therapy as one of the many possible integrative therapy in oncology. DESIGN: It is a pilot study designed and approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Rome, La Sapienza (March 2017) to evaluate quality of life and reduction of side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy in 20 breast cancer patients. METHODS: The selected patients will be treated with systemic ozone treatment: Ozonated autohemotherapy will be performed according to the following method: 200 ml venous blood will be exposed an equal amount of O2 /O3 (200 ml) The ozone concentration will be gradually increased as follows: 20-30-40 mcrg/mL with a specific schedule until each patient will receive 15 applications overall. The sessions will be scheduled according to a specific timetable during the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy by means of Epirubicin and Cyclophsphamide (EC) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles followed by Paclitaxel for 12 consecutive weeks. Ozone therapy will not be applied on days of chemotherapy in order to avoid interaction between chemotherapeutics and ozonides. Biochemical blood analysis and stress oxidative blood test will be used as parameters for activity of antioxidant defence system. Quality of life will be evaluated with Fact G Test. It is the first study to have been evaluated and approved by an official university ethical committee and we will be glad to publish our result as soon as possible. On this behalf it would be great if any other centre could be interested in cooperating with us so to transform this pilot study into a multicentre study with larger numbers and therefore, with a greater impact on the international community. Our aim is to give cancer patients a better life quality in general and especially help them overcome all the side effects during the chemotherapy. This could open a new scenario in the alternative complementary treatments in oncology.

scholarly journals A Novel Digital Patient-Reported Outcome Platform for Head and Neck Oncology Patients–-A Pilot Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. CMENT.S40219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria K. Peltola ◽  
Joel S. Lehikoinen ◽  
Lauri T. Sippola ◽  
Kauko Saarilahti ◽  
Antti A. Mäkitie
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Patient Reported

Introduction The patient's role in toxicity reporting is increasingly acknowledged. There is also a need for developing modern communication methods between the patient and the medical personnel. Furthermore, the increasing number of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients is reflected in the volume of treatment follow-up visits, which remains a challenge for the health care. Electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) measures may provide a cost-efficient way to organize follow-up for cancer patients. Materials and Methods We tested a novel ePRO application called Kaiku®, which enables real-time, online collection of patient-reported outcomes, such as side effects caused by treatment and quality of life. We conducted a pilot study to assess the suitability of Kaiku® for HNC patients at the Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Patients used Kaiku® during and one month after radiotherapy to report treatment-related side effects and quality of life. Two physicians and a nurse performed the practical electronic communication part of the study. Results Five of the nine patients agreed to participate in the study: three of them had local early-stage larynx cancer (T2N0, T1aN0, and T2N0) and the remaining two patients had early-stage base of tongue cancer (T2N0 and T1N2b). The degree of side effects reported by the patients via Kaiku® ranged from mild to life threatening. The number of outcome data points on patients' progress was significantly increased, which resulted in a better follow-up and improved communication between the patient and the care team. Conclusions Kaiku® seems to be a suitable tool to monitor side effects and quality of life during and after radiotherapy among HNC patients. Kaiku® and similar tools could be useful in organizing a cost-effective follow-up process for HNC patients. We recommend conducting a larger study to further assess the impact of an ePRO solution in routine clinical practice. • ePRO solutions may aid in the follow-up for cancer patients. • They seem suitable to monitor, for example, side effects and quality of life. • These systems ensure fast patient-driven reporting.

A genetic variant of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3C (HTR3C): A novel link to chemotherapy-induced side effects.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9630-9630
Author(s):  
Tami Rubinek ◽  
Dorit Pud ◽  
Gil Har-Zahav ◽  
Zvi Symon ◽  
Yael Laitman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Symptom Score ◽  
Genetic Variant ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Symptom Clusters ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Symptoms

9630 Background: Symptom clusters are defined as three or more concurrent symptoms that are related to each other. Clusters may stem from common physiological mechanisms and may better represent adverse effects to chemotherapy compared to individual symptoms. We aimed to identify association between the experience of symptom clusters and specific genetic alterations. Methods: Study population consisted of 108 breast cancer patients who received over two cycles of adjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) treatment at the oncology institute of the Sheba Medical Center. Participants completed the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, the Lee Fatigue Scale and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify patients' subgroups based on their symptom experience. For the genetic analyses, DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of candidate genes were tested using restriction endonuclease assays. Results: Two distinct subgroups were identified based on severity of fatigue, depression, nausea, and change in food tastes: "all high" (n=79) and "all low" (n=29) level of all symptoms. As patients did not have active cancer, symptoms were attributed solely to chemotherapy. A genetic variant of HTR3C (rs6766410) results in a substitution of asparagine to lysine (N163K) may be associated with nausea and vomiting. We tested the association between this variant and symptom score. 51 of 75 (68%) patients with high symptom score harbored the variant allele, compared to 13 of 28 (46%) of those with low symptom score (p=0.038). Conclusions: Analysis of genetic background of clusters, rather than for individual symptoms, represents a novel approach for the study of chemotherapy-induced side effects. This approach enabled the identification of HTR3C variant as a possible mediator of side effects following treatment with AC. Discovering the genetic basis of symptom clusters may lead to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic modalities able to improve symptom management. This may translate to improved outcome among chemotherapy-treated cancer patients.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Saline Washout Technique in the Management of Chemotherapy Extravasations Among Cancer Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL4) ◽  
pp. 16-20
Author(s):  
Parimala L ◽  
Nivitha W
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
The Body ◽  
Local Tissue ◽  
Severe Stage ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Human Death ◽  
Normal Stage

Cancer cells display uncontrolled growth invasion and sometimes metastatic spread to other location in the body  via lymph nodes or blood. Cancer affects people are mostly in elder ages peoples with risk for most type increasing with age cancer caused about 13% of all human death 2008(7.6million). While improved the cancer patients first important for administer the chemotherapy.  But they may cause many of side effects in main side effects is “EXTRAVASATION in” extravasations is infiltration or leakage of intravenous chemotherapeutic agents. It mostly affected in extremities, into the local tissue surrounding the administration site may result of local tissue damage or extravasations. Drugs that is associated with severe necroes is when extravasations are known as vesicants. Whereas those associated with less severe burning or  inflammation are known as irritation. The aim of the present study was conducted to assess the effect of saline washout technique in the management of chemotherapy extravasation among  cancer patients. A pre-experimental design was chosen to assess the effectiveness of saline washout technique on chemotherapy extravasations. The present was conducted at SMCH with 100 male and female who come under inclusion criteria and they were selected by non-probability convenience sampling technique. The demographical variables was collected by using Semi-structured questionnaire and extravasations was assessed by INS (Infusion nurses society) infiltration and extravasation scale. The result revealed the pretest results show that 30% had mild stage, 31%  had moderate stage, 24% had severe stage and  15% had very severe stage on chemotherapy  extravasation among cancer patients. The post-test data revealed that 35% had normal stage, 24%hadmildstage,21%hadmoderatestage,  14% had severe stage and 6% had very severe stage on chemotherapy extravasation among cancer patients.  The result revealed that saline washout technique was more effective in the management of chemotherapy extravasation among cancer patients.

A pilot study of insomnia and lung cancer symptoms in early stage lung cancer patients

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (14_suppl) ◽  
pp. 7269-7269
Author(s):  
J. Garst ◽  
M. Rumble ◽  
J. Edinger ◽  
L. Porter ◽  
P. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Early Stage Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Symptoms ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Stage Lung Cancer
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