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

G.1. Cetuximab (Erbitux, ImClone)

Mutation by chemicals, virus, radiation etc. could cause the over-expression of EGFR. Resulting in uncontrolled cell division and is associated with a number of cancers such as lung cancer, colon cancer, and glioblastoma multiforme (the most common and aggressive brain tumor).

Cetuximab is a recombinant mouse/human (chimeric) monoclonal antibody that binds to the extracellular domain of the EGFR, thereby blocking the activation of EGFR to achieve its anticancer effect. It is used for the treatment of EGFR-expressing metastatic colon cancer after failure of irinotecan (Irinotecan, a semisynthetic analogue of the natural alkaloid camptothecin, is a drug used for the treatment of colon cancer) and oxaliplatin-based regimens. Cetuximab is used in treating colon cancer patients, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

Cetuximab is administered by infusion and may cause serious infusion reactions including rapid onset of airway obstruction, hypotension, shock, loss of consciousness, myocardial infarction, or cardiac arrest. Cetuximab may also cause electrolyte depletion for months after initiation of erbitux therapy.

© 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 (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 colon cancer

Many studies indicate that high-fat and low-fiber diet is a risk factor of colon cancer.  Logically, low-fat and high-fiber diet should help reduce the chances of getting colon cancer.  In my opinion, fibers from foods could provide the following benefits:

1. Dietary fibers help form bulky stools which can help remove unhealthful materials.
2. Dietary fibers can work like micro-brushes and help clean colon surface microscopically.
3. Dietary fibers can also help discourage the growth of harmful bacteria.

For many years, it has been proposed that high-fiber diet could help prevent colon cancer.  Indeed, plenty of studies have indicated that this is the case; in cultures where people eat more high-fiber foods, colon cancer rates are much lower.

The other important factor is fatty food.  There are complicated theories and studies to support that high fatty foods increase the risk of getting colon cancer.  Here, let’s use a common sense to think about fatty food and colon. Fatty food is slippery, which makes it harder to clean the colon as compared to food with high fiber content.

In summary, current understanding is that eating more high-fiber and low-fat foods is one good way to lower the chances of getting colon cancer.

Please visit my crowdfunding site for info about the upcoming book (Is Cancer in Us?) to be published in December 2015

© 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.