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Targeted Breast Cancer Drug Shrinks Tumors - Medscape
"December 17, 2009 (San Antonio) — A new targeted cancer drug has been shown to shrink tumors in women with metastatic breast cancer after an average of seven other drugs, including Herceptin, failed.
The new drug, called T-DM1, combines Herceptin with a potent chemotherapy drug. It's a Trojan horse approach, where Herceptin homes in on cancer cells and delivers the cancer-killing agent directly to its target.
Tumors shrank in one-third of women with metastatic breast cancer given T-DM1, says Ian Krop, MD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. In another 12%, tumors stopped growing for at least six months.
The women remained cancer-free for an average of seven months -- results unheard of in patients this sick, he says.
All the women, who had breast tumors for an average of three years, had cancer that had metastasized, or spread to other parts of the body. They had been treated with an average of seven different therapies, including Herceptin, Tykerb, and Xeloda, and each had failed."
Mortality in vegetarians and nonvegetarians: detailed findings from a collaborative analysis of 5 prospective studies -- Key et al. 70 (3): 516 -- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Mortality in vegetarians and nonvegetarians: detailed findings from a collaborative analysis of 5 prospective studies.
Key TJ, Fraser GE, Thorogood M, Appleby PN, Beral V, Reeves G, Burr ML, Chang-Claude J, Frentzel-Beyme R, Kuzma JW, Mann J, McPherson K.
Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep;70(3 Suppl):516S-524S.
PMID: 10479225
Further categorization of diets showed that, in comparison with regular meat eaters, mortality from ischemic heart disease was 20% lower in occasional meat eaters, 34% lower in people who ate fish but not meat, 34% lower in lactoovovegetarians, and 26% lower in vegans. There were no significant differences between vegetarians and nonvegetarians in mortality from cerebrovascular disease, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, or all other causes combined.
See especially
TABLE 7. All-studies death rate ratios and 95% CIs and the number of deaths by diet category
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/70/3/516S/T7
Vitamin D and breast cancer. - Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul (full text PDF)
Vitamin D and breast cancer.
Bertone-Johnson ER.
Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul;19(7):462-7. Epub 2009 Feb 20. Review.
PMID: 19230714
Though the relationship between vitamin D and breast cancer remains unclear, a growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D may modestly reduce risk. A large number of in vitro studies indicate that vitamin D can inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis and cell differentiation in breast tumor tissue. Results from analytic studies of sunlight exposure and dietary intake have been inconsistent but together generally support a modestly protective role of vitamin D, at least in some population subgroups. Studies using blood vitamin D metabolites to assess vitamin D status may be less prone to misclassification than those of diet and sunlight exposure. Overall, the two prospective and four case-control studies of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D tend to support a protective effect in older women. The relationship between common vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and risk remains unclear. Many questions about this relationship clearly remain, including the utility of assessing vitamin D through diet and sunlight exposure, the relationship between plasma metabolites, and the potential modifying effects of age, menopausal status and tumor characteristics. Given that vitamin D status is modifiable, additional prospective studies are necessary to determine if vitamin D may have important potential for breast cancer prevention.
Obesity linked with poorer breast cancer outcomes
"SAN ANTONIO – Breast cancer patients with a high body mass index (BMI) have a poorer cancer prognosis later in life. Specifically, their treatment effect does not last as long and their risk of death increases.
"Overall, women should make an effort to keep their BMI less than 25," said Marianne Ewertz, M.D., professor in the Department of Oncology at Odense University Hospital, Denmark. "Those who have a high BMI should be encouraged to participate in mammography screening programs for prevention efforts.""
Alcohol may raise chances of breast cancer return | Reuters
"CHICAGO (Reuters) - Post-menopausal women who have three to four alcoholic beverages a week of any sort have a significantly higher risk that their breast cancer will come back, U.S. researchers said Thursday."
JAMA -- Soy Food Intake and Breast Cancer Survival, December 9, 2009, Shu et al. 302 (22): 2437
Soy Food Intake and Breast Cancer Survival.
Xiao Ou Shu et al.
JAMA Vol. 302 No. 22, December 9, 2009; 302(22):2437-2443.
Results During the median follow-up of 3.9 years (range, 0.5-6.2 years), 444 deaths and 534 recurrences or breast cancer-related deaths were documented in 5033 surgically treated breast cancer patients. Soy food intake, as measured by either soy protein or soy isoflavone intake, was inversely associated with mortality and recurrence. The hazard ratio associated with the highest quartile of soy protein intake was 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.92) for total mortality and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.54-0.87) for recurrence compared with the lowest quartile of intake. The multivariate-adjusted 4-year mortality rates were 10.3% and 7.4%, and the 4-year recurrence rates were 11.2% and 8.0%, respectively, for women in the lowest and highest quartiles of soy protein intake. The inverse association was evident among women with either estrogen receptor-positive or -negative breast cancer and was present in both users and nonusers of tamoxifen.
Conclusion Among women with breast cancer, soy food consumption was significantly associated with decreased risk of death and recurrence.
Study: Eating Soy Is Safe for Breast Cancer Survivors - TIME
"The common culprit is soy, a plant that contains chemicals with estrogen-like and anti-estrogenic properties — making it a nutritional minefield for breast cancer survivors. While Western diets are relatively low in soy — compared with the typical diet in Asia, where people eat soy daily — the percentage of Americans consuming soy at least once a week has increased from 15% in 1997 to 28% in 2003. In the meantime, studies on the effect of soy on breast cancer recurrence and mortality have been conflicting, with some showing that it can reduce risk, while others show an elevated rate of recurrent disease among high soy consumers.
Now the largest study to date of soy's effect on breast cancer suggests that eating soy, even in large amounts, may not be harmful after all, and may even reduce recurrence and death from the disease. But while the findings are intriguing, not all doctors are ready to tout the benefits of tofu
Spices halt growth of breast stem cells, U-M study finds
"ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A new study finds that compounds derived from the spices turmeric and pepper could help prevent breast cancer by limiting the growth of stem cells, the small number of cells that fuel a tumor's growth.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have found that when the dietary compounds curcumin, which is derived from the Indian spice turmeric, and piperine, derived from black peppers, were applied to breast cells in culture, they decreased the number of stem cells while having no effect on normal differentiated cells.
"If we can limit the number of stem cells, we can limit the number of cells with potential to form tumors," says lead author Madhuri Kakarala, M.D., Ph.D., R.D., clinical lecturer in internal medicine at the U-M Medical School and a research investigator at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System."
Vitamin D for cancer prevention: global perspective. Garland CF et al. -Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul;19(7):468-83 (full text PDF)
Vitamin D for cancer prevention: global perspective.
Garland CF, Gorham ED, Mohr SB, Garland FC.
Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul;19(7):468-83. Review.
PMID: 19523595
Vitamin D levels associated with survival in lymphoma patients
"ScienceDaily (Dec. 5, 2009) - A new study has found that the amount of vitamin D in patients being treated for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was strongly associated with cancer progression and overall survival. The results will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in New Orleans.
Also, several recent reports have concluded that vitamin D deficiency is associated with poor outcomes in other cancers, including breast, colon and head and neck cancer. This is the first study to look at lymphoma outcome.
Fatty fish and fish omega-3 fatty acid intakes decrease the breast cancer risk: a case-control study
Fatty fish and fish omega-3 fatty acid intakes decrease the breast cancer risk: a case-control study.
Kim J, Lim SY, Shin A, Sung MK, Ro J, Kang HS, Lee KS, Kim SW, Lee ES.
BMC Cancer. 2009 Jun 30;9:216.
PMID: 19566923
doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-216
Conclusion
These results suggest that high consumption of fatty fish is associated with a reduced risk for breast cancer, and that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish is inversely associated with postmenopausal breast cancer risk
Meat, eggs, dairy products, and risk of breast cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort -- Pala et al. 90 (3): 602 -- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Meat, eggs, dairy products, and risk of breast cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.
Pala V, Krogh V, Berrino F, Sieri S, Grioni S, Tjønneland A, Olsen A, Jakobsen MU, Overvad K, Clavel-Chapelon F, Boutron-Ruault MC, Romieu I, Linseisen J, Rohrmann S, Boeing H, Steffen A, Trichopoulou A, Benetou V, Naska A, Vineis P, Tumino R, Panico S, Masala G, Agnoli C, Engeset D, Skeie G, Lund E, Ardanaz E, Navarro C, Sánchez MJ, Amiano P, Svatetz CA, Rodriguez L, Wirfält E, Manjer J, Lenner P, Hallmans G, Peeters PH, van Gils CH, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, van Duijnhoven FJ, Key TJ, Spencer E, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Ferrari P, Byrnes G, Rinaldi S, Norat T, Michaud DS, Riboli E.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Sep;90(3):602-12. Epub 2009 Jun 2.
PMID: 19491385
doi:10.3945/ajcn.2008.27173
Conclusions: We have not consistently identified intakes of meat, eggs, or dairy products as risk factors for breast cancer. Future studies should investigate the possible role of high-temperature cooking in the relation of red meat intake with breast cancer risk.
Meat and egg consumption and risk of breast cancer among Chinese women. - Cancer Causes Control. 2009 Jun 17. - SpringerLink - Journal Article
Meat and egg consumption and risk of breast cancer among Chinese women.
Zhang CX, Ho SC, Chen YM, Lin FY, Fu JH, Cheng SZ.
Cancer Causes Control. 2009 Jun 17. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 19533390
Conclusions This study suggested that processed meat intake was associated with a possible increased risk of breast cancer. There was no significant association between consumption of total and red meat, poultry, fish, or egg with breast cancer risk
Vitamin D association with estradiol and progesterone in young women - Cancer Causes Control. 2009 Nov 15 - SpringerLink - Journal Article
Vitamin D association with estradiol and progesterone in young women.
Knight JA, Wong J, Blackmore KM, Raboud JM, Vieth R.
Cancer Causes Control. 2009 Nov 15. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 19916051
Conclusions Higher levels of vitamin D may reduce progesterone and estradiol, providing a potential mechanism for reduction in breast cancer risk from increased vitamin D exposure in young women
A phase 2 trial exploring the effects of high-dose (10,000 IU/day) vitamin D(3) in breast cancer patients with bone metastases. - Cancer. 2009 Nov 13. - Wiley InterScience :: Article :: HTML Full Text
A phase 2 trial exploring the effects of high-dose (10,000 IU/day) vitamin D(3) in breast cancer patients with bone metastases.
Amir E, Simmons CE, Freedman OC, Dranitsaris G, Cole DE, Vieth R, Ooi WS, Clemons M.
Cancer. 2009 Nov 13. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 19918922
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.24749
METHODS:
Patients with bone metastases treated with bisphosphonates were enrolled into this single-arm phase 2 study. Patients received 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 and 1000 mg of calcium supplementation each day for 4 months. The effect of this treatment on palliation, bone resorption markers, calcium metabolism, and toxicity were evaluated at baseline and monthly thereafter.
CONCLUSIONS:
Daily doses of 10,000 IU vitamin D3 for 4 months appear safe in patients without comorbid conditions causing hypersensitivity to vitamin D. Treatment reduced inappropriately elevated parathyroid hormone levels, presumably caused by long-term bisphosphonate use. There did not appear to be a significant palliative benefit nor any significant change in bone resorption. Cancer 2010. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
JAMA -- Influence of a Diet Very High in Vegetables, Fruit, and Fiber and Low in Fat on Prognosis Following Treatment for Breast Cancer: The Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Randomized Trial, July 18, 2007, Pierce et al. 298 (3): 289
Influence of a diet very high in vegetables, fruit, and fiber and low in fat on prognosis following treatment for breast cancer: the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) randomized trial.
Pierce JP, Natarajan L, Caan BJ, Parker BA, Greenberg ER, Flatt SW, Rock CL, Kealey S, Al-Delaimy WK, Bardwell WA, Carlson RW, Emond JA, Faerber S, Gold EB, Hajek RA, Hollenbach K, Jones LA, Karanja N, Madlensky L, Marshall J, Newman VA, Ritenbaugh C, Thomson CA, Wasserman L, Stefanick ML.
JAMA. 2007 Jul 18;298(3):289-98.
PMID: 17635889
Conclusion Among survivors of early stage breast cancer, adoption of a diet that was very high in vegetables, fruit, and fiber and low in fat did not reduce additional breast cancer events or mortality during a 7.3-year follow-up period.
Vitamin D association with estradiol and progesterone in young women. - [Cancer Causes Control. 2009] - PubMed result
Vitamin D association with estradiol and progesterone in young women.
Knight JA, Wong J, Blackmore KM, Raboud JM, Vieth R.
Cancer Causes Control. 2009 Nov 15. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 19916051
CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of vitamin D may reduce progesterone and estradiol, providing a potential mechanism for reduction in breast cancer risk from increased vitamin D exposure in young women.
Meta-analysis of vitamin D, calcium and the prevention of breast cancer. - [Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009] - PubMed Result
Meta-analysis of vitamin D, calcium and the prevention of breast cancer.
Chen P, Hu P, Xie D, Qin Y, Wang F, Wang H.
Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009 Oct 23. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 19851861
These results provide strong evidence that vitamin D and calcium have a chemopreventive effect against breast cancer.
Women With Breast Cancer Have Low Vitamin D Levels
"ScienceDaily (Oct. 8, 2009) — Women with breast cancer should be given high doses of vitamin D because a majority of them are likely to have low levels of vitamin D, which could contribute to decreased bone mass and greater risk of fractures, according to scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center."
Scientists funded by the NCI analyzed vitamin D levels in each woman, and the average level was 27 nanograms per milliliter; more than two-thirds of the women had vitamin deficiency. Weekly supplementation with high doses of vitamin D -- 50,000 international units or more -- improved the levels, according to Peppone's study.
The U.S. Institute of Medicine suggests that blood levels nearing 32 nanograms per milliliter are adequate.
Novel therapy for cancer? from medicineworld.org
A ground-breaking Canada-wide clinical trial led by Dr. Katherine Borden, at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Universit de Montral, has shown that a common anti-viral drug, ribavirin, can be beneficial in the treatment of cancer patients. Published in the journal Blood (First Edition), the study demonstrates that ribavirin suppresses the activities of the eIF4E gene in patients. This gene is dysregulated in 30 percent of cancers including breast, prostate, head and neck, colon and stomach cancer.
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