Eating a high-fiber, fruit- and vegetable-heavy diet might dramatically reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer, according to a recent study in the journal, Nutrition and Cancer.

Cervical cancer is most often linked to risk factors such as infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), smoking, use of oral contraceptives, and having multiple sexual partners. Now researchers are finding that diet might also play an important role.

The study focused on 239 women being treated for cervical cancer at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. Researchers compared these subjects to 979 randomly selected control patients from the same hospital. All of the women filled out a questionnaire detailing their health and medical history. The women were also asked about the types of foods and drinks in their diet before their cancer diagnosis.

Women with the highest intakes of dietary fiber, vitamins C, E, and A, alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, and folate had a 40 to 60 percent lower risk for cervical cancer than did those with the lowest intakes of these nutrients, the researchers found. Even after adjusting for known cervical cancer risk factors, the cancer protection remained.

How might these nutrients protect against cancer? They act as antioxidants-substances that ward off cellular damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Also, they may prevent cells from turning cancerous and reduce the risk of viruses such as HPV, which can trigger cancer development.

The effects of these nutrients appear to be interrelated. "The fact that high intakes of such a wide range of plant-based nutrients appeared to be protective may indicate that a plant-based diet pattern, rather than a specific nutrient, decreases risk," says lead author Chaitali Ghosh, PhD, assistant professor in Mathematics at Buffalo State College.

This study did not look at whether these same nutrients affected cancer risk when given in supplement form. It also did not determine whether the women in the study were infected with HPV. Because it can lead to cervical cancer, HPV could affect the association the study found between diet and cervical cancer. And because the researchers relied on participants' recollection of their diet, it's difficult to verify the findings.

Still, the results point to a significant benefit from eating a healthy diet. "A diet rich in plant-based nutrients may be important in reducing the risk of cervical cancer," Dr. Ghosh says. "Thus, a variety of fruits and vegetables should be included in a person's diet to obtain the maximum protective effect of these nutrients against cancer."

Future research should look at the effects of individual nutrients on cervical cancer, and take into account whether participants have HPV, the authors write.

Source:

Ghosh C, Baker JA, Moysich KB, Rivera R, Brasure JR, McCann SE. Dietary intakes of selected nutrients and food groups and risk of cervical cancer. Nutrition and Cancer. 2008;60:331-341.

Phellinus linteus (PL), a mushroom that has been used for many years in traditional Oriental medicine, slows the growth of highly invasive breast cancer cells by a variety of different mechanisms, according to a study published in the April 15 issue of the British Journal of Cancer.

Although new treatments and earlier detection have reduced overall breast cancer mortality, the disease remains the most deadly cancer among women ages 20 to 59. The big challenge to doctors has been in treating the most invasive breast cancers.

In their search for alternatives or additions to traditional cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation, researchers have turned to natural substances with anti-cancer properties. "What I'm looking for are natural products that are able to modulate the invasiveness of cancer cells," explains Daniel Sliva, PhD, senior investigator and Director of the Cancer Research Laboratory at Methodist Research Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana. "We can go back to Mother Nature and find or rediscover something that has been here for a long time and may be effective in the treatment of cancer."

Dr. Sliva and his colleagues recently turned to their attention to PL. Past research has found that this mushroom species contains complex carbohydrates called polysaccharides, which demonstrate significant anti-cancer effects.

In the current study, Dr. Sliva and his colleagues tested the effects of PL on highly invasive human breast cancer cells in the laboratory. They found that the mushroom extract affects the growth of breast cancer cells in several ways.

First, PL interferes with the cell cycle to prevent cancer cells from proliferating. It blocks the activity of an enzyme called AKT kinase, which is responsible for the uncontrolled cell growth seen in cancer and plays a role in the formation of new blood vessels-a process called angiogenesis. "Blood vessels are important for the nutrition, and therefore the growth, of cancer," Dr. Sliva explains. "So if we can stop angiogenesis, we will block the delivery of nutrients to cancer, and this will result in the suppression of the growth and metastasis [spread] of cancer."

Dr. Sliva's team found that PL also prevented breast cancer cells from forming colonies-a marker of highly invasive cancer, as well as an indicator of its ability to metastasize. And, the mushroom inhibited three crucial events responsible for cancer metastasis: cell adhesion (the ability of the cancer cells to stick together and attach in other parts of the body), cell migration (the ability of cells to move in the body), and cell invasion (the ability of cells to penetrate through the organs in the body). "If you can inhibit one of these three factors…you can stop cancer cells from metastasizing," Dr. Sliva says.

Once they had demonstrated the effectiveness of PL against invasive breast cancer cells, Dr. Sliva and his colleagues wanted to determine whether it is safe. When they tested it in the lab, the researchers found that PL was not toxic to human cells.

The results of this study still need to be confirmed in animal studies and then human clinical trials. If it is found to be both safe and effective in humans, PL could be used as an adjuvant to chemotherapy and other breast cancer treatments.

Sources:

Sliva D, Jedinak A, Kawasaki J, Harvey K, Slivova V. Phellinus linteus suppresses growth, angiogenesis and invasive behaviour of breast cancer cells through the inhibition of AKT signaling. British Journal of Cancer. 2008;98:1348-1356.

Breast Cancer Facts & Figures

The presence of an immune cell is associated with better prognosis for patients undergoing extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma is the conclusion of a recent article published in the Journal of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery.

Canadian researchers tested mesothelioma samples removed from 32 patients (28 men and 4 women). The patients ranged in age from 21 to 74 (median age was 59). The researchers were looking for the numbers of specific types of immune cells. They then compared this data to the survival of the patients to see if these cell counts had any relationship with survival. They found that one specific type of immune cell called CD8+ was associated with better prognosis. The study found that higher levels of CD8+ cells coorelated with good clinical outcome after induction chemotherapy followed by EPP, better overall survival and progression-free survival, and lower incidence of mediastinal lymph node metastases.

What are CD8+ cells ?

CD8+ cells are a type of cell-killing T-lymphocyte that can search out and kill specific types of virus-infected and cancer cells. When these cells find their target cells they induce the target cells to secrete proteins that attract nearby macrophages (a type of white blood cells). These macrophages then surround and destroy the infected cells.

Can Natural Approaches Increase CD8+ Counts?

This study lends further support to the theory that malignant pleural mesothelioma may be sensitive to immune-based therapies. In fact, several immune- based clinical trials using interferon or interleukin have reported improvements in the median survival times seen with purely conventional therapies (like chemo and surgery alone). But, if mesothelioma has an immunogenic component, it would suggest that natural approaches that affect immune response may also benefit the patient.

CD8+ Cells and the Immune System

There have been studies that have looked at the impact of various natural products like vitamins, mushrooms, and tea on CD8+ cell counts. For example:

· Substances isolated from the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei were tested on mice with lung cancer. One of the substances increased the numbers of CD8+ invading the tumors.

· In a Harvard Study, pregnant women with HIV were given vitamin A (preformed vitamin A and beta carotene) and multivitamins (vitamins B, C, and E). The vitamin administration led to fewer deaths and also resulted in significantly higher CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts and significantly lower viral loads.

· In another study mice were fed extracts from Green Tea (green tea polyphenols or GTP's), exposed to ultra violet radiation and then compared to mice that were also radiated but did not receive GTP's. The researchers found that administration of GTP's reduced skin tumor incidence by 35%, reduced tumor multiplicity by 63%, and reduced tumor growth by 55%. The researchers also found that the GTP mice demonstrated a number of biological differences from the other mice including more cytotoxic CD8+ cells in their tumors.

No Clinical Studies at Present

Unfortunately, there have been no clinical studies in which mesothelioma patients were administered immune boosting natural products like medicinal mushrooms, vitamins, or herbs to determine their potential impact on survival or quality of life. The current paradigm of using cytotoxic (cell killing therapies) and the monetary incentive to create easily patentable drugs are two disincentives to engage in such a study. (It is easy to understand why a drug company would not invest the estimated $500 million to bring a new treatment to market when the treatment is a natural product and can be purchased in a vitamin store or grown in one's backyard for a few dollars.)

Nonetheless, emerging science does suggest that the immune system can recognize and eliminate malignant tumors and that certain natural products can have a dramatic effect on immune competence. These two critical revelations may ultimately provide the intellectual rationale for the National Cancer Institute to use some of its $5 billion budget to sponsor clinical studies to determine if natural products are of value to mesothelioma patients in either prolonging or improving their quality of life.

Endnotes

1) Anraku M, et al., Impact of tumor-infiltrating T cells on survival in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008 Apr;135(4):823-9.

2) Kimura Y, et al., Isolation of an anti-angiogenic substance from Agaricus blazei Murill: its antitumor and antimetastatic actions. Cancer Sci. 2004 Sep;95 (9):758-64.

3) Fawzi WW, et al., A randomized trial of multivitamin supplements and HIV disease progression and mortality. N Engl J Med. 2004 Jul 1;351(1):23-32.

4) Mantena SK, et al., Orally administered green tea polyphenols prevent ultraviolet radiation-induced skin cancer in mice through activation of cytotoxic T cells and inhibition of angiogenesis in tumors. J Nutr. 2005 Dec;135(12):2871-7.

Maintaining the right balance of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract might help protect against conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and ultimately cancer, according to an article published in the May issue of Current Drug Targets.

The intestines are naturally teeming with millions of microorganisms. Most of these bacteria have a symbiotic relationship with their human hosts. The intestines provide a warm, moist environment in which the bacteria can grow. In return, the bacteria help the intestinal immune system develop, protect the gastrointestinal tract against disease-causing bacteria, aid in the absorption of large molecules, and help produce vitamin K.

However, sometimes this delicate balance can shift. More harmful species of bacteria can begin to prevail over more benign microorganisms. And some people's immune systems may not have the proper mechanisms to control these damaging bacteria, according to the article's author, Maria Rescigno, Director of the Dendritic Cells and Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology at the Istituto Europeo di Oncologia in Milan, Italy.

A shift in balance in favor of harmful bacteria can lead to IBD, an inflammatory condition that researchers have linked to a higher incidence of gastrointestinal cancers. "IBD is a chronic inflammation, and indeed patients with IBD (particularly ulcerative colitis) are more prone to develop tumors," Dr. Rescigno says.

How exactly certain bacteria contribute to cancer development is not known. One theory is that the bacteria gain control of the cell cycle and allow cancerous cells to multiply. Or, it may be that certain bacteria release carcinogenic chemicals or trigger the release of substances via an immune response that allow cancer cells to multiply. Particular types of bacteria species have been linked to an increased cancer risk-particularly Helicobacter.

Once researchers discovered the link between harmful bacteria in the gut and increased cancer risk, they began looking for ways to reduce that risk. Attention has turned to probiotics-dietary supplements containing live beneficial bacteria. In research conducted so far, probiotics positively shifted the composition of bacteria in the gut, and reduced the development of tumors in animals. It's also possible that probiotics might activate the immune system and reduce the inflammation that could eventually lead to cancer development.

Despite the potential of probiotics, however, it is too early to recommend them for cancer prevention. "It is not yet known which probiotic to propose that works in humans," Dr. Rescigno says. "Animal studies may not be representative." Researchers need to determine through human trials the particular function of each type of probiotic, in order to create the most appropriate treatments.

Source:

Rescigno M. The pathogenic role of intestinal flora in IBD and colon cancer. Current Drug Targets. 2008;9:395-403.

Cancer Foundations

Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America - The mission of the mesothelioma Research Foundation of America is to fund research that will lead to the quickest cure for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by asbestos exposure, has very few treatment options at this time. Since the year 2001, the foundation has funded the opening of the Mesothelioma Laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Parkash Gill at the USC/Norris who is currently investigating Veglin, an anti-angiogenesis agent. A Phase I study of Veglin has demonstrated some success in patients suffering from lymphoma, sarcoma, and colon and lung cancers. Phase II studies are on-going with the hope they will demonstrate continued clinical efficacy in mesothelioma and other cancers. For more information about the Phase II study of Veglin you may contact Dr. Gill through the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America. 1-800-909-Meso (6376) http://www.mesorfa.org

Immune Boosting Products

Get Healthy Again.com - This company provides a variety of immune boosting nutritional supplements designed to enhance the immune system. http://www.health-reports.com/cancer- conquest.html

Legal Services

Brain Cancer Misdiagnosis Information Center - Brain Cancer Misdiagnosis Information Center provides information on the frequency of brain cancer misdiagnosis, how you can find out if you have been misdiagnosed, and what you can do about it. The Center is run by the law firm of Webb, Scarmozzino & Gunter. http://www.brai ncancerlaw.com

Goldberg, Persky & White, P.C. - This law firm (and its predecessor law firms) has been a pioneer in asbestos litigation in the United States. The attorneys of Goldberg, Persky & White, P.C. (GPW) have been involved in asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits since 1978. Their experienced mesothelioma lawyers participated in the gathering of evidence, such as the testimony of corporate executives and doctors, and the accumulation of corporate documents, that helped create the basis for successfully suing the asbestos industry. GPW has represented thousands of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis victims. Because of their involvement in asbestos litigation from the beginning, GPW has a clear understanding of what is required to succeed. In addition to outstanding trial experience, GPW is backed by a large arsenal of corporate documents, depositions, and medical articles with which to vigorously prosecute your asbestos case. http://www.gpwlaw. com/cm

Paul & Hanley LLP - Paul & Hanley LLP has built its reputation on mesothelioma-asbestos litigation-representing individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or serious asbestos-related diseases. They have an outstanding track record of success and have garnered many of the most significant California verdicts. Their lawyers are known for their honesty, integrity and compassion. They handle a select number of cases at a time and represent workers and families with the extra special attention required for the best possible outcome in each case. They understand your case is unique, so they take the time to get to know you and your family. Contact them today for a free and confidential consultation. They will discuss your specific case and give you honest answers to your important questions. Their toll free telephone number is
1-800- 281-9804. They look forward to helping you. http://www.Paul&Hanley LLP.com

Nutritional Support

Haelan Products offers Haelan 951, an international award-winning, super nutritious, fermented soybean protein beverage. Clinical research and numerous reports from doctors and cancer patients have demonstrated that Haelan 951 helps protect cancer patients from the toxic side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. In addition, one study found that the soy isoflavone genistein (which is found in Haelan 951) produced greater apoptosis with both chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Apoptosis means "programmed cell death" and it is a goal of most orthodox cancer therapies. Because Haelan 951 is a nutritional supplement, not a cancer treatment, it was used in this study to offset the toxicity of the treatments, not as a cancer therapy. http://www.haelan9 51.com