Chemotherapy and Its Side Effects: Chapter 2 - Hormones

F. Hormones

Hormones are compounds internally secreted by a specific tissue/organ, transported by body fluids to another tissue/organ (receptor), and affect the function of the receptive tissue/organ. Most hormones exist naturally but some hormones can be synthesized.

For example, tamoxifen is a common hormone treatment for breast cancer.  Also, a phase II clinical study suggested that the concomitant administration of melatonin (a pineal hormone) and tamoxifen may induce tumor regressions in metastatic breast cancer patients refractory to tamoxifen alone.

Fig. 1.14   Structure of tamoxifen

Certain breast cancer cells require the activation of estrogen receptor to grow. Tamoxifen (Fig. 1.14) is first metabolized by human cytochrome P450 and its metabolites then compete with estrogen in binding to and inactivating estrogen receptor, thus hampering the growth of the breast cancer cells.

Tamoxifen was approved by the FDA in December 1977.  It is currently used for the treatment of both early and advanced estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer patients. In June 1990, tamoxifen was approved by the FDA for an additional use to help prevent the recurrence of breast cancer wherein the cancer cells have not spread to the lymph nodes under the arm. 

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2019

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book, "SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY", prepared by Dr. Jiajiu Shaw, Dr. Frederick Valeriote, and Dr. Ben Chen

Chemotherapy and Its Side Effects: Chapter 2 - Antimetabolites (Cont'd)

B.2. Fluorouracil (5-Fluorouracil or 5-FU)

Fluorouracil (Fig. 1.7) is sold under different trade names such as Adrucil and Efudex.  It is classified as an antimetabolite and has been used for treating cancer for many years. Due to its similarity to thymine, 5-FU interrupts the synthesis of thymidine, one of the building blocks of DNA. As a result, DNA replication is interrupted and the growth of cancer cells is hampered.

Fig. 1.7   5-FU (left), thymine, and thymidine (right)

Fluorouracil has been used mainly in treating colon cancer and has been used in combination with other drugs, including leucovorin, carboplatin, and paclitaxel.  It has also been used in other solid tumors including pancreatic cancer and breast cancer. Side effects of fluorouracil include myelosuppression, dermatitis, and mucositis.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2018

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book, "SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY", prepared by Dr. Jiajiu Shaw, Dr. Frederick Valeriote, and Dr. Ben Chen. 

Natural Products for Cancer Prevention/Management (23)

Ganoderma lucidum

     Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) is a group of mushrooms extensively used in traditional Chinese medicines. Its Chinese name, Ling Zhi, means spiritual/wonderful flower or plant. Reishi mushrooms contain many bioactive compounds, such as triterpenoids and polysaccharides. They have been studied for many different therapeutic purposes including immunomodulation, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Some studies showed that ganoderma lucidum suppressed cell adhesion and cell migration of breast and prostate cancer cells and may have potential anticancer effect. 

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2017

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I wrote, "IS CANCER IN US", published recently.

Natural Products for Cancer Prevention/Management (22)

Dong Quai (Angelica Sinensis)

     Dong Quai is one of the most popular Chinese herbs. It has been used in China for thousands of years as a tonic for blood and for the health of many organs including heart, liver, spleen, and kidney.  Dong Quai has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of several different cancer cells including colon cancer and breast cancer.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2017

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I wrote, "IS CANCER IN US", published recently.

Natural Products for Cancer Prevention/Management (18)

Lutein

Lutein is found in many natural products including corn, grapes, orange, broccoli, and zucchini.  It is one of the major carotenoids found in human eyes and has been used for eye protection or to help prevent eye diseases.  Although more positive evidence is needed, lutein has been used to lower the risks of colon cancer, and breast cancer.  Women with high lutein content in their diets have been shown to have lower rates of breast cancer.


© Jiajiu Shaw, 2017

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I wrote, "IS CANCER IN US", published recently.

Natural Products for Cancer Prevention/Management (17), Lutein

Lutein

Lutein is found in many natural products including corn, grapes, orange, broccoli, and zucchini.  It is one of the major carotenoids found in human eyes and has been used for eye protection or to help prevent eye diseases.  Although more positive evidence is needed, lutein has been used to lower the risks of colon cancer, and breast cancer.  Women with high lutein content in their diets have been shown to have lower rates of breast cancer.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2016

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I am writing, "IS CANCER IN US", to be published in about two months.

Risk factors of breast cancer (2)

(Risk factors of breast cancer, part 2)

Breast feeding: An interesting finding about breast cancer is that some studies suggest that continued breast feeding may slightly lower the risk of breast cancer.  The longer women breast feed, the more they are protected against breast cancer. However, it is not very clear whether this is related to hormones or menstrual cycles.

Drinking alcohol: Based on a number of scientific reports, there is an association between alcohol drinking and some types of cancer.  Studies have indicated that the amount of alcohol taken is related to the risk factor of getting cancer, including breast cancer.  For women who drink 3 drinks daily, there is a 1.5 times risk as compared to those who don’t drink alcohol at all.

Body weight and Physical Activities:  Body weight and physical activities might be related to the risk factor of breast cancer.  Some reports indicate that being overweight after menopause may increase breast cancer risk; on the other hand, proper physical activities (exercise) may reduce the risk.  It has been reported that physical exercise can reduce risk of breast cancer.  Studies suggested that women with 1-3 hours of exercise per week could reduce the risk of breast cancer by 30%, and those with >4 hours of exercise per week could reduce the risk by >50%.

There is only one month left for you to buy the book and simultaneously contribute to the American Cancer Society at http://igg.me/at/whataboutcancer/x/10534737. 

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2015

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I am writing, "IS CANCER IN US", to be published in about two months.

Risk factors of breast cancer (1)

Several risk factors of breast cancer are briefly described below.

Gender: Being a woman provides a higher risk of getting breast cancer as opposed to being a man. Unfortunately, this is something that we can’t control.

Age: An older person has a higher risk of getting breast cancer as compared to a younger person.

Genetic risk factors: The most common hereditary breast cancer is from inherited mutation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.  If someone has inherited mutated BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, there is a higher risk of developing breast cancer.  This is because, in normal cells, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes help regulate DNA repair proteins, cell cycle, and apoptosis to keep the cells from becoming cancerous.


Birth control and hormone: It has been reported that women who use birth control drugs (oral contraceptives) have a slightly higher risk of getting breast cancer.  For example, some studies have been conducted on an injectable form of progesterone, Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA; Depo-Provera®); DMPA is given once every 3 months as a birth control.  The results showed that women currently using DMPA may have an increase in risk of breast cancer.  However, if the drug was used more than 5 years ago, the risk doesn’t seem to be increased.  Some studies indicate that both estrogen therapy (ET) and estrogen progestin therapy (EPT) are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.  The longer ET or EPT is used, the higher the risk.


(to be continued)

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2015

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I am writing, "IS CANCER IN US", to be published in about two months.