Dietary Interventions for Cancer Prevention: An Update to ACS International Guidelines.

Cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide, demands the identification of modifiable risk factors to optimize its prevention. Diet has emerged as a pivotal focus in current research efforts. This literature review aims to enhance the ACS guidelines on diet and cancer by integrating the latest findings and addressing unresolved questions. The methodology involved an advanced PubMed search with specific filters relevant to the research topic. Topics covered include time-restricted diet, diet quality, acid load, counseling, exercise and diet combination, Mediterranean diet, vegetarian and pescetarian diets, weight loss, dairy consumption, coffee and tea, iron, carbohydrates, meat, fruits and vegetables, heavy metals, micronutrients, and phytoestrogens. The review highlights the benefits of the Mediterranean diet in reducing cancer risk. Adherence to overnight fasting or carbohydrate consumption may contribute to cancer prevention, but excessive fasting may harm patients' quality of life. A vegetarian/pescetarian diet is associated with lower risks of general and colorectal cancer compared to a carnivorous diet. High heme and total iron intake are linked to increased lung cancer risk, while phytoestrogen intake is associated with reduced risk. Coffee and tea have a neutral impact on cancer risk. Finally, the roles of several preventive micronutrients and carcinogenic heavy metals are discussed.

Vitamin D supplementation in cancer prevention and the management of cancer therapy.

Vitamin D is an important steroid hormone that exerts immunomodulatory actions, controls calcium and phosphate homeostasis, and significantly affects human health. Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem, affecting approximately 60% of adults worldwide, and has been implicated in a range of different types of diseases, e.g., cancer. Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, energetic metabolism, and different types of cell death (e.g., apoptosis, autophagy, etc.). In physiological conditions, it is also able to modulate immune responses, angiogenesis, etc., which belongs to fundamental cancer-related processes. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of some types of cancer, e.g., colorectal, breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, etc. The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention, carcinogenesis, and cancer treatment is still under investigation and depends on the type of cancer. This review summarizes the role of vitamin D in all three above-mentioned aspects and discusses the mechanism of action and potential possibilities in cancer treatment.

mRNA vaccines: a new era in vaccine development.

The advent of RNA therapy, particularly through the development of mRNA cancer vaccines, has ushered in a new era in the field of oncology. This article provides a concise overview of the key principles, recent advancements, and potential implications of mRNA cancer vaccines as a groundbreaking modality in cancer treatment. mRNA cancer vaccines represent a revolutionary approach to combatting cancer by leveraging the body's innate immune system. These vaccines are designed to deliver specific mRNA sequences encoding cancer-associated antigens, prompting the immune system to recognize and mount a targeted response against malignant cells. This personalized and adaptive nature of mRNA vaccines holds immense potential for addressing the heterogeneity of cancer and tailoring treatments to individual patients. Recent breakthroughs in the development of mRNA vaccines, exemplified by the success of COVID-19 vaccines, have accelerated their application in oncology. The mRNA platform's versatility allows for the rapid adaptation of vaccine candidates to various cancer types, presenting an agile and promising avenue for therapeutic intervention. Clinical trials of mRNA cancer vaccines have demonstrated encouraging results in terms of safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy. Pioneering candidates, such as BioNTech's BNT111 and Moderna's mRNA-4157, have exhibited promising outcomes in targeting melanoma and solid tumors, respectively. These successes underscore the potential of mRNA vaccines to elicit robust and durable anti-cancer immune responses. While the field holds great promise, challenges such as manufacturing complexities and cost considerations need to be addressed for widespread adoption. The development of scalable and cost-effective manufacturing processes, along with ongoing clinical research, will be pivotal in realizing the full potential of mRNA cancer vaccines. Overall, mRNA cancer vaccines represent a cutting-edge therapeutic approach that holds the promise of transforming cancer treatment. As research progresses, addressing challenges and refining manufacturing processes will be crucial in advancing these vaccines from clinical trials to mainstream oncology practice, offering new hope for patients in the fight against cancer.

Epigenetics of Dietary Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention: Fact or Fiction.

ABSTRACT: Cancer development takes 10 to 50 years, and epigenetics plays an important role. Recent evidence suggests that ~80% of human cancers are linked to environmental factors impinging upon genetics/epigenetics. Because advanced metastasized cancers are resistant to radiation/chemotherapeutic drugs, cancer prevention by relatively nontoxic "epigenetic modifiers" will be logical. Many dietary phytochemicals possess powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are hallmarks of cancer prevention. Dietary phytochemicals can regulate gene expression of the cellular genome via epigenetic mechanisms. In this review, we will summarize preclinical studies that demonstrate epigenetic mechanisms of dietary phytochemicals in skin, colorectal, and prostate cancer prevention. Key examples of the importance of epigenetic regulation in carcinogenesis include hypermethylation of the NRF2 promoter region in cancer cells, resulting in inhibition of NRF2-ARE signaling. Many dietary phytochemicals demethylate NRF2 promoter region and restore NRF2 signaling. Phytochemicals can also inhibit inflammatory responses via hypermethylation of inflammation-relevant genes to block gene expression. Altogether, dietary phytochemicals are excellent candidates for cancer prevention due to their low toxicity, potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and powerful epigenetic effects in reversing procarcinogenic events.

What to Eat for Cancer Prevention: The Total Dietary Pattern as a Combination Treatment for Prevention.

ABSTRACT: Over the past 2 decades, the search for dietary factors for developing cancer prevention guidelines has led to a significant expansion in the study of dietary patterns and their relation to cancer. Dietary patterns, which consider the types, amounts, variety, and combination of consumed foods, may encompass additive, synergistic, or interactive effects on human health, compared with individual nutrients or foods. In this review, we discuss the history and methodologies of dietary pattern research, describe common dietary indices used in cancer research, and summarize the existing evidence on dietary patterns and cancer risk. Current evidence supports the beneficial role of dietary patterns that are rich in vegetables, legumes, whole fruit, and whole grains and limited in added sugars, refined grains, processed foods, and red and processed meat in preventing various cancers, including breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. Additionally, emerging evidence suggests that dietary patterns based on biological mechanisms, such as hyperinsulinemic diet and inflammatory diet, hold promise and may be priority areas for future research.

Inflammatory Modulation Effects of Probiotics: A Safe and Promising Modulator for Cancer Prevention.

Chronic inflammation is the gate of many human illnesses and happens when the immune system is unable to suppress external attacks in the correct form. Nonetheless, the gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in keeping homeostasis in the human body and preventing inflammation. Imbalanced microbiota and many diseases can result in inflammation, which when not taken seriously, can be turned into chronic ones and ultimately lead to serious diseases such as cancer. One approach to maintaining hemostasis in the human body is consumption of probiotics as a supplement. Probiotics impact the immune functions of dendritic cells (DCs), T cells, and B cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue by inducing the secretion of an array of cytokines. They activate the innate immune response through their microbial-associated molecular pattern, and this activation is followed by multiple cytokine secretion and adaptive elicitation that mitigates pro-inflammatory expression levels and tumor incidence. Thus, according to several studies showing the benefit of probiotics application, alone or in combination with other agents, to induce potent immune responses in individuals against some inflammatory disorders and distinct types of cancers, this review is devoted to surveying the role of probiotics and the modulation of inflammation in some cancer models.

Unlocking the health benefits of melatonin supplementation: A promising preventative and therapeutic strategy.

Melatonin (MLT) is crucial in controlling human sleep-wake patterns. While it has long been recognized for regulating circadian rhythms, its demonstrated efficacy in managing various diseases has recently gained considerable attention. This review discusses MLT's potential preventative and therapeutic effects on various diseases. Several studies have focused on examining the molecular mechanisms through which MLT brings about its protective or therapeutic effects on various diseases, including cancer, obesity, coronavirus, and cardiovascular diseases. Numerous preventative and therapeutic applications of MLT have been proposed, resulting from its ability to function as an antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating agent. There is a need for further research to determine MLT's long-term effects on antioxidant defense systems, its preventative and therapeutic benefits, and its molecular basis.

Impact of dietary ingredients on radioprotection and radiosensitization: a comprehensive review.

Radiation exposure poses significant health risks, particularly in radiotherapy and nuclear accidents. Certain dietary ingredients offer potential radioprotection and radiosensitization. In this review, we explore the impact of dietary ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds, on radiation sensitivity and their potential for radioprotection. Radiosensitizers reoxygenate hypoxic tumor cells, increase the radiolysis of water molecules, and regulate various molecular mechanisms to induce cytotoxicity and inhibit DNA repair in irradiated tumor cells. Several dietary ingredients, such as vitamins C, E, selenium, and phytochemicals, show promise in protecting against radiation by reducing radiation-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage. Radioprotectors, such as ascorbic acid, curcumin, resveratrol, and genistein, activate and modulate various signaling pathways, including Keap1-Nrf2, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), STAT3, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), in response to radiation-induced oxidative stress, regulating inflammatory cytokine expression, and promoting DNA damage repair and cell survival. Conversely, natural dietary radiosensitizers impede these pathways by enhancing DNA damage and inducing apoptosis in irradiated tumor cells. Understanding the molecular basis of these effects may aid in the development of effective strategies for radioprotection and radiosensitization in cancer treatment. Dietary interventions have the potential to enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy and minimize the side effects associated with radiation exposure.

Deciphering the Potentials of Cardamom in Cancer Prevention and Therapy: From Kitchen to Clinic.

Cardamom (cardamum) is a spice produced from the seeds of several Elettaria and Amomum plants of the Zingiberaceae family. Cardamom has been demonstrated to offer numerous benefits, including its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and other metabolic (anti-diabetic) properties, and its potential to reduce cancer risk. Recently, researchers have extracted and tested multiple phytochemicals from cardamom to assess their potential effectiveness against various types of human malignancy. These studies have indicated that cardamom can help overcome drug resistance to standard chemotherapy and protect against chemotherapy-induced toxicity due to its scavenging properties. Furthermore, chemical compounds in cardamom, including limonene, cymene, pinene, linalool, borneol, cardamonin, indole-3-carbinol, and diindolylmethane, primarily target the programmed cell death lignin-1 gene, which is more prevalent in cancer cells than in healthy cells. This review provides the medicinal properties and pharmacological uses of cardamom, its cellular effects, and potential therapeutic uses in cancer prevention and treatment, as well as its use in reducing drug resistance and improving the overall health of cancer patients. Based on previous preclinical studies, cardamom shows significant potential as an anti-cancer agent, but further exploration for clinical use is warranted due to its diverse mechanisms of action.

Discovery of Natural Products for Cancer Prevention.

ABSTRACT: "Cancer chemoprevention" is a term referring to the slowing or reversal of this disease, using nontoxic natural or synthetic compounds. For about 50 years, there has been a strong scientific interest in discovering plant-derived compounds to prevent cancer, and strategies for this purpose using a concerted series of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo laboratory bioassays have been developed. Five examples of the more thoroughly investigated agents of this type are described herein, which are each supported by detailed literature reports, inclusive of ellagic acid, isoliquiritigenin, lycopene, trans-resveratrol, and sulforaphane. In addition, extracts of the plants avocado (Persea americana), noni (Morinda citrifolia), açai (Euterpe oleracea), and mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) have all shown inhibitory activity in an in vivo or ex vivo bioassay using a carcinogen and germane to cancer chemoprevention, and selected in vitro-active constituents are described for each of these 4 species.

Repurposing Drugs for Cancer Prevention: Targeting Mechanisms Common to Chronic Diseases.

ABSTRACT: The development of agents for cancer prevention is a lengthy process requiring a delicate balance between the safety and tolerability of potential interventions and effectiveness in preventing future cancer. Individuals at risk for a specific cancer are frequently at risk for multiple types of cancer as well as other chronic diseases, especially ones associated with aging. Shared environmental exposures, genetic predisposition, metabolic factors, and commonalities in pathogenesis suggest opportunities for combined targeting of cancer and other chronic diseases. Examples discussed here include mechanisms shared between various cancers and obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Engagement of patients and the public in personalised prevention in Europe using genomic information: a scoping review.

Introduction: Personalised prevention using genomic information requires active involvement from patients and the public, who should be well-informed and empowered to make healthcare decisions that reflect their personal values. We aimed to map engagement practises, and assess the extent and types of engagement methods used in the field of personalised prevention of common chronic conditions using genomic information. Methods: A scoping review on selected literature (in Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, APA PsycINFO, and IBSS) from 2015 to 2023 was performed. Articles included described practises of patient and public engagement in personalised prevention and genomics conducted in Europe focusing on cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. Engagement was explored based on grouping practises across the domains of care, research, education, and governance. Results: A total of 23 articles describing 23 engagement practises were selected. Analysis revealed diverse engagement levels, the majority falling into the low to medium engagement category, and showing mainly unidirectional methods of engagement, especially consultation. Most engagement activities related to cancer, and none to neurodegenerative disorders. Most publications appeared in the care domain, followed by the research domain, a combination of research and care, and a combination of governance and education. Conclusion: These results suggest that most practises to engage patients and public in personalised prevention using genomic information appear to have lower levels of engagement. Elaborating on and implementing practises that engage and empower patients and the public at all levels of the engagement spectrum and for all chronic diseases is needed, fostering a more inclusive and participatory approach to personalised prevention.

The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Its Crosstalk: A Chemopreventive Target of Naturally Occurring and Modified Phytochemicals.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an environmentally sensitive transcription factor (TF) historically associated with carcinogenesis initiation via the activation of numerous carcinogens. Nowadays, the AhR has been attributed to multiple endogenous functions to maintain cellular homeostasis. Moreover, crosstalk, often reciprocal, has been found between the AhR and several other TFs, particularly estrogen receptors (ERs) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2). Adequate modulation of these signaling pathways seems to be an attractive strategy for cancer chemoprevention. Several naturally occurring and synthetically modified AhR or ER ligands and Nrf2 modulators have been described. Sulfur-containing derivatives of glucosinolates, such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C), and stilbene derivatives are particularly interesting in this context. I3C and its condensation product, 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), are classic examples of blocking agents that increase drug-metabolizing enzyme activity through activation of the AhR. Still, they also affect multiple essential signaling pathways in preventing hormone-dependent cancer. Resveratrol is a competitive antagonist of several classic AhR ligands. Its analogs, with ortho-methoxy substituents, exert stronger antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity. In addition, they modulate AhR activity and estrogen metabolism. Their activity seems related to a number of methoxy groups introduced into the stilbene structure. This review summarizes the data on the chemopreventive potential of these classes of phytochemicals, in the context of AhR and its crosstalk modulation.

In vivo Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Chamomile Extract against Procyclidine-Induced Oxidative Stress: Potential Application in Cancer Prevention.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of the chamomile plant on oxidative stress induced by procyclidine in rats. 30 rats were randomly divided into five groups, with 6 rats in each group. The first group was given distilled water only, while the second group was administered procyclidine (1 mg/kg body weight) in three doses daily for a period of 60 days. The third group was given procyclidine in the same doses as the second group for 30 days. Afterward, they were administered an aqueous extract of chamomile (300 mg/kg) for another 30 days. The fourth group was administered the aqueous extract (300 mg/kg) for 30 days. Subsequently, they were given procyclidine in the same doses as the second group for another 30 days. On the other hand, the fifth group was administered the aqueous extract of chamomile (300 mg/kg) for a period of 60 days to investigate the potential effects of the extract. Afterward, blood samples were drawn to measure various biological parameters, including Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Finally, an anatomical study was conducted on the kidneys, brain, and liver to enhance the research. The results displayed a significant increase in the levels of TOS, MDA, AST, ALT enzymes, and Ach-E activity in the second group compared to the first group. Groups 3 and 4 significantly decreased compared to the second group based on the same standards. In regard to Group 5, there are no significant moral differences between it and Group 1. Finally, this study demonstrated the importance of using chamomile extract as an antioxidant and its potential in cancer prevention against the oxidative stress induced by excessive doses of procyclidine. (p ≤ 0.005).

Vitamin D3 and cancer risk in healthy subjects: An umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D3, which originates from cholesterol, exerts its influence on immune cells and potentially cancer cells via the metabolite 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3), impacting their proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. An umbrella review was conducted to evaluate the potential protective effect of vitamin D3 intake and serum levels on the incidence and mortality of cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE databases from their inception to October 1, 2023. We included meta-analyses of observational or randomized clinical trials that compared interventions (vitamin D3 intake) or blood levels in a healthy population, with cancer incidence or mortality as outcomes. The grading of evidence certainty followed established criteria, including strong, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or not significant. RESULTS: A total of 71 systematic reviews were included. Strong evidence indicated that vitamin D3 supplementation reduced total cancer mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.9 [95% CI, 0.87-0.92]; P < 0.01). In the context of site-specific cancers, there exists highly suggestive evidence pointing towards the potential prevention of head and neck, breast, colorectal, lung, and renal cell cancers through the intake of vitamin D3. Furthermore, strong evidence suggests that maintaining sufficient levels of vitamin D3 may effectively lower the risk of renal cell and thyroid cancer (OR = 0.76 [95%CI 0.64-0.88]). CONCLUSIONS: There is significant evidence that vitamin D3 intake may reduce the incidence of some cancers. Routine assessments to ensure sufficient levels of vitamin D3 and administering supplements to address deficiencies may serve as crucial preventive measures for healthcare systems.

2' Life-changing minutes: impact evaluation of a novel health promotion format on cancer prevention.

Cancer is one of the most important societal challenges in the world, with over 23 million new cases/year and 10 million deaths/year, that will only be properly tackled with a stronger focus on prevention. This calls for an informed population, aware of risk factors and willing to adopt preventive behaviors and early cancer screenings. For that purpose, 2' Life-changing minutes was created, the first ever televised Entertainment-Education series on cancer prevention. This study aims to evaluate the impact of 2' Life-changing minutes, a novel E-E format for cancer prevention, on knowledge gains and behavior changes. Two complementary studies were performed involving a total of 1314 participants: a test-screening (TS) study targeting potential viewers of the series, and a natural-screening (NS) study targeting those that spontaneously watched the series on television. We found (i) very high levels of appreciation and narrative engagement, and also willingness to see more episodes; (ii) statistically significant knowledge gains, ranging from 17% to 44%, on all four topics tested; (iii) evidence of effective behavior change. Regression analysis showed that narrative engagement was the best predictor of behavior change [NS: odds ratio (OR) = 3.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.70-6.74, p = 0.001; TS: OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.13-0.371, p = 0.018]. This study demonstrates the series' real impact and serves as a proof-of-concept for a novel strategy of cancer prevention that is based around compelling health narratives, rather than information or data, to engage viewers, increase knowledge and induce behavior change.