Liver

Comparing patients during sorafenib therapy (Nexavar, a so called tyrosine kinase inhibitor) has shown much lower side effects in those who took antihistamines. Treatment withdrawal rates due to effects of the oncology drugs were halved, resulting in longer treatment duration. This contributes to much higher response rate and progression free time, on average. In a similar way, patients also taking low dose aspirin, usually around 80mg, are also seen in research studies to have better results for both progression and all cause risks. Including use with sorafenib as first or second treatment, as well as following thermal ablation surgery. And improving all cause risks in another study of patient data during hospitalization. Aspirin even helped protect against the damaging impact of anti-diabetic drug metformin (see Repurposed Drugs)

Those taking statins following surgery, inlcuding transplants,have up to 70% lower risk of cancer recurrence accorind to studies of case data. This has even been confirmed by analysis across multiple research publications. Atorvastatin is the most researched, but when a prescription is lacking, red yeast rice is the readily available supplement source of lovastatin. Another fascinating example is coffee consumption. Beyond its well established risk reduction for liver cancer incidence, there is a remarkable lack of research on its lowering of progression risks. But recurrence rates following liver transplants shows a large benefit for consuming 3 or more standard 8oz cups daily, and commentary in research is increasingly positive on coffee consumption for liver health including cancer.

Consistent positive results come from trials of mushroom extracts containing so called beta glucans, adding these alongside oncology regimes. Examples include lentinan which is from shiitake mushroom, and for remarkably well proven turkey tail. Similarly, well proven and widely available danshen and astragalus, the two most well researched herbal extracts, have large scale analysis across several trials finding both reduced risks and fewer serious side effects. The impact of these supplements is through their ability to protect and balance the immune system.

Study of genetic data and outcomes shows immune system evasion by liver cancer cells involves some specific increases in certain gene activity levels. These can be regulated by vitamin B3, and some compelling pre-clinical research shows this with patient derived liver tumor samples. Along the same line, higher levels of lactoferrin, a prebiotic compound, are reported with slow disease progression rates and lab work on this supports this both as a standalone supplement and with the TKI, sorafenib.

Dysfunctional iron metabolism is common during cancer and with treatments. Liver cancer can utilize extra iron it stores locally to fuel growth, seen in the enzyme like protein marker called ferritin. Lower ferritin levels are clearly linked to improved outcomes in cancer. Conversely iron deficiency is itself reported with poor prognosis. Lactoferrin is a pre-biotic class milk protein which helps restore iron balance, so called homeostatis improving both absorption can healthy use of iron. Also related to metals, incidence and much more aggressive progression rates are linked with high levels of circulating copper. Citrus Pectin can help remove these heavy metals, especially with alginates from brown seaweed. And, has its own anti-cancer evidence both in late stage patient trials and its reported ability to reduce so called galectin-3 protein signaling, shown to increase patient risk.

Many solid tumors, not least liver, have an internal fluid pressure that acts both to push metastatic spread, literally, as well as making it hard for oncology drugs to penetrate. There are ongoling trials in several cancers including colon with funtional oat and egg compounds that both reduce this pressure and can reduce side effects. Selenium is also being researched in this area in kidney cancer. Another well known behavior with much the same results is so called hypoxia, and in liver cancer there is compelling lab work pointing to melatonin use to help reduce this, as well as improving quality of life.

Systemic inflammation is linked with increased risks for progression, especially in later stages. Both acute type inflammatory responses measured by C-reactive protein, and immune system related neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios. Maintaining relatively lower levels of both can probably make a significant difference. Commonly used astragalus root is reported to improve immune system balance (lower NLR) while curcumin and other other functional foods including garlic can help bring down “classic” inflammation (and CRP), as can lactoferrins actions. Trials supplementing probiotic b.longum have been beneficial in patients, whilst another gut bacteria akkermansia is suggested to increase immunotherapy responses. Also in metabolism, upregulated amino acid tryptophan is shown to drive progression. A variety of supplement and functional foods have been shown in studies from other fields to reduce these levels.

The so called Th1/Th2 immune system balance is strongly linked to the progression and to treatment resistance. Molecular iodine solutions are emerging in this area in breast cancer management and seen boosting Th1 anti tumor activity and helping suppress over active Th2 used in resistance. The has improved results in surgery plus chemotherapy and may support increased response immunotherapy (see Supplement Library). For immunotherapy the presence of high sodium levels is now identfied as a key marker for success in other cancers. Also in other cancers, AM treatment programs are substantially more effective that PM/evening sessions. And, there are some remarkable results for improving immunotherapy responses using structured exercise regimes (see Lifestyle)

The most common metastatic site is lung, take a look at that for ideas there too. And if receiving immunotherapy, note that research reports better reponses for morning sessions. Also, recent studies in sodium levels link response rates to higher natural levels of circulating sodium during treatment.

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Antihistamines have large scale analysis of case data supporting their use in most cancers

  • A large 76% lower progression risk when added to TKI (eg Nexavar) therapy
  • Similar 80% increase in average progression free period with antihistamines
  • Side effects reduced, enabling 50% longer oncology treatment and better responses

Our results indicate that cyproheptadine in combination with sorafenib prolonged the OS and PFS of sorafenib-treated advanced HCC cases. The percentage of patients with partial response or stable disease in the combination group was almost twice that in the control group. In contrast, the probability of sorafenib dose reduction was reduced by approximately half in the combination group compared with the sorafenib control group. The sorafenib–cyproheptadine combination may provide a prospective future for advanced HCC. However, this study was only a retrospective study. A prospective clini...

Aspirin has a majority of analysis in its favor including all-cause mortality

  • Risk reductions of 43% with sorafenib, more than 2X as an absolute impact
  • In relapsed patients, with regorafenib even larger 80% reduced risk is reported
  • Possible link to specific genes , the PI3K pathway dysfunction as seen in colorectal cancer,

Our results highlight that aspirin may play a role not only in preventing hepatocarcinogenesis but also in increasing the outcome of advanced HCC patients receiving sorafenib…Biological reasons behind these results are unknown, but aspirin appears to be able to inhibit the expression of COX-1 at the platelet level …Platelets facilitate immune-mediated liver injury by promoting the hepatic accumulation of virus-specific CD8 (+) T cells and the use of aspirin reduce this damage. These mechanisms reduce the level of growth factors involved in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition...

Red Yeast Rice or a prescription statin have multiple beneficial actions including all-cause risks

  • Analysis of patient data shows large reductions in post surgery recurrence rate, including transplants
  • Approximately 70% risk reduction, including only 13% recurrence rate at 3 years when taking statins
  • Red yeast rice is the natural source of lovastatin where prescription statins are not available

 

Statins increase the disease-free survival of patients with HCC after liver surgery. These drugs seem to have chemoprevention effects that decrease the probability of HCC recurrence after liver transplantation or liver resection…We showed that the recurrence was lower at one, three, and 5 years after surgery in patients with HCC who underwent liver surgery in combination with statin treatment than in patients who underwent liver surgery without statin treatment. These results indicate that statins should be considered effective at reducing the recurrence of HCC tumors..Statins may red...

Danshen evidence from patient records is compelling in both cancer and vascular health

  • Risk reduction of more than half shown by adding well proven danshen supplements
  • Analysis across multiple trials finds evidence of even higher impacts in some studies
  • Along with astragalus, the most well proven and available herbal supplements

The current meta-analysis found that Danshen formulae can improve the clinical efficiency in cancer treatment. After the addition of Danshen formulae, RR and survival rates were significantly improved. …The studies investigated [including] liver cancer (n = 3)…Meta-analysis [compared to chemotherapy only] suggested that Danshen formulae had a significant effect on RR (response rate) (OR 2.38, 1-year survival (OR 1.70) [meaning +70%], 3-year survival (OR 2.78) [nearly 3X], and 5-year survival (OR 8.45)…The current research results showed that Danshen formulae combined with ...

Coffee show surprising risk reducing effects from dietary survey data in many cancers

  • Data in report shows no recurrence at 3x 8oz cups or more daily vs average 18%
  • Overall, drinking coffee is reported to reduce recurrence rates around 70%
  • An overall summary here is half the relative risk levels in those consuming coffee vs none

Coffee consumption is associated with a decreased risk of HCC recurrence and provides for increased survival following OLT. We suggest that these results might be, at least in part, associated with the antagonist activity of caffeine on adenosine-A2AR mediated growth-promoting effects on HCC cells….Ninety patients underwent OLT [liver transplant] for HCC. Sixteen (17.8%) patients experienced HCC recurrence after median time of 11.5 months (range 1‐40.5). For overall survival postoperative coffee intake emerged as a major factor of hazard reduction in a multivariate analysis (HR = 0....

Curcumin has some direct evidence here for HCC, and helps reduce systemic inflammation

  • Pilot study in liver cancer shows a large impacts, less than half the risk of progression
  • The 3 supplement combination here are shown to strongly suppress crucial markers of poor prognosis
  • These markers are crucial in advanced stages and after surgery in HCC, including transplants

The combined treatment was able to produce a significant decrease in the levels of serum IL-10, and miR-21 while it resulted in a non-significant up-regulation of serum miR-141 expression level. At the end of the follow-up period, the median overall survival (OS) rate was found to be 17.00 months with a worse OS in patients with high baseline levels of circulating IL-10 and miR-21 compared to those with low levels. In contrast, a low baseline level of circulating miR-141 was associated with poor prognosis

Astragalus actions include protecting and balancing immune responses often with clear effects reported

  • Analysis across several trials shows over 40% reduced progression risks
  • At 12 months, a relative risk reduction level of 28% and improvement in many side effects
  • Evidence of balancing immune related inflammatory response aligns with this study

Our meta-analysis displays compelling evidence of effectiveness for hepatocellular cancers that should be evaluated in high-quality and transparent clinical trials…Products containing ginseng, astragalus and mylabris had a larger treatment effect (OR 1.34) than the pooled broad estimate, also the case for astragalus-based treatments (OR 1.35). We examined survival rates and pooled 15 studies reporting on 6 month outcomes (RR 1.10). This effect was consistent at other prospective dates, including 12 months…

Turkey tail extracts have extensive evidence in digestive system cancers

  • Similar benefits to digestive tract cancer studies found here
  • The most clear impacts are reported in slowing advanced stage progression
  • Lowered side effects and better quality of life also confirmed here

Median PFS was 2.5 (1.4-5.3) months in the CV and 1.1 (0.4-4.2) months in the placebo arm, HR 0.42 (0.13-1.34, p = 0.144). Median OS was 6.5 (3.3-24.1) and 2.2 (0.8-23.3) months, respectively, HR 0.35 (0.10-1.25, p = 0.105). Social and emotional functioning scores were higher in the CV group compared to placebo group on treatment. CV subjects had less appetite loss and pain symptoms compared to placebo subjects during treatment.

Beta glucans protect and balance immune system activity improving outcomes

  • A functional food high in mushroom beta glucans reduces progression risks by 30%
  • Commercially available products contain refined lentinan from shitakke
  • Some patients are “responders” to the mushroom beta glucan and see larger impact

Survival times of patients who ingested test food for a mean period of 47 weeks (range, 26 to 145 weeks) were significantly longer than that of patients who ingested for 7 to 12 weeks (p < 0.05). The rates of lentinan-binding cells in CD14+ monocytes showed individual variations (0.1-19.7%; Median, 1.6%). Survival times (median survival time, 16.3 months) of lentinan-high-binding group were significantly longer than those (median survival time, 12.5 months) of lentinan-low-binding group (p < 0.05).

Nicotinamide version of B3 research in the Supplements Library

  • Patient data analysis associates poor progression with GPR109A immune cells used by HCC
  • Pre-clinical mouse models show surprisingly large suppression of patient derived tumors
  • Study suggests high probability of vitamin B3 increasing both immunotherapy and targeted TKI results

In summary, our research uncovers the immune-modulatory activity of VB3 in the TME. Dietary supplementation of VB3 enhances the antitumor responses of adaptive immunity by counteracting immunosuppressive myeloid cells and improves the efficacy of immune/targeted therapy. These findings establish a mechanistic link between dietary vitamins supplementation and cancer progression, suggesting that VB3 could be readily translated into clinical use as an adjunctive treatment for liver cancer.

Lactoferrin increases iron balance and reduces anemia rates, countering cancers use of iron

  • Study finds high levels in tumor environment lead to better outlook
  • Pre-clinical testing confirms lactoferrin alone has anti-cancer mechanisms
  • Study suggests strong synergies with sorafenib based on lab testing

 

We found endogenous hLf is downregulated in HCC tumors compared with normal liver, and decreased hLf levels in HCC tumors are associated with shorter survival of HCC patients. However, the chemoprotective effect of 100% iron saturated holo-bLf on experimental hepatocarcinogenesis has not yet been determined. We aimed to evaluate the chemopreventive effects of holo-bLf in different HCC models. Remarkably, a single dose (200 mg kg−1) of holo-bLf was effective in preventing early carcinogenic events in a diethylnitrosamine induced HCC in vivo model

Melatonin trials have shown longer survival rates, even in late stages, and improved side effects

  • Analysis of patient data for key markers elevated with recurrence and treatment evasion
  • Detailed pre-clinical studies showing substantially improved immunotherapy results
  • Melatonin alone shows suppression of tumors in the lab by regulating the tumor micro-environment

In conclusion, the present findings establish a clear role for melatonin in improving the hypoxic immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumors, reducing tumor progression, and enhancing the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 antibodies in treating residual tumors. Elucidating this potential mechanism further will provide a solid scientific basis for targeting the hypoxic microenvironment to prevent HCC recurrence and metastasis in clinical RFA practice.

Berberine improves metabolic heath in both glucose and lipids

  • Elevated levels of TIGAR sugar metabolism strongly affect prognosis
  • Liver cancer switches this pathway, introducing at least 54% higher relative risk
  • Berberine research shows it strongly binds TIGAR in its glucose clearing actions

Our findings shed light on the complex interplay between TIGAR expression and immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying HCC development and progression..Our study revealed a compelling association between high TIGAR expression and diminished OS rates in HCC patients. Through GSEA, we have established a close relationship between TIGAR and humoral immunity, indicating the pivotal involvement of TIGAR in modulating the body’s antibody-mediated immune responses

Citrus Pectin removes heavy metals such as copper and has its own anti-cancer mechanisms

  • Analysis of patient records and their relative levels of so called Galectin-3
  • The 7X risk reduction here is large, but new data in US shows 25%
  • Late stage trials showed some relapsed patients benefitting too

We divided them into two subgroups (high galectin-3 expression and low galectin-3 expression) and compared outcome between the two groups. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with high galectin-3 expression had a significantly shorter survival time than those with low galectin-3 expression. In the multivariate analysis, we observed that galectin-3 expression, together with some traditional prognostic factors (tumor size, histologic grade) were independent risk factors in the prognosis of HCC patients. Similar findings have been reported in other malignancies

Oat and egg based functional foods are entering early stage clinical trials for several cancers

  • These studies show internal fluid pressure in HCC tumors increases spread
  • Most solid tumors have an internal pressure that is a barrier to oncology drugs
  • Specific anti-inflammatory responses can be driven by use of functional foods

Elevated tumor pressure is strongly associated with increased metastatic potential and poor prognosis across various cancers. Consequently, tumor pressure has emerged as a promising biomarker for predicting malignant behavior and therapeutic response. Tumor cells adapt to this high-pressure environment, which promotes their proliferation and invasion. In liver cancer, PHT plays a significant role in creating HIFP within the tumor microenvironment. This condition is not only a common complication in liver cancer patients but also affects the onset and progressi...

Akkermansia and B.longum can be stimulated to natural levels with functional foods

  • A clinical trial improves post surgery recovery and outcomes
  • A 35% risk reduction in patients given Bifidobacterium longum
  • For immunotherapy, other studies highlight akkermansia as crucial

In a clinical trial of HCC patients, orally administering a probiotic bacteria cocktail containing B. longum reduced the rates of delayed recovery, shortened hospital stays, and improved overall 1-year survival. These benefits, attributed to diminished liver inflammation, reduced liver fibrosis, and hepatocyte proliferation, were associated with changes in key metabolic pathways, including 5-hydroxytryptamine, secondary bile acids, and short-chain fatty acids. Our findings propose that gut microbiota modulation can enhance LFR, thereby improving postoperative outcomes for HCC pati...

Garlic and its extracts reduce inflammation and improves blood vessels integrity

  • Low inflammation levels triple average survival rates
  • Time to treatment was doubled in lower vs higher CRP
  • Similar findings with immunotherapy treatment in other reports

It is noteworthy that a high-CRP level has been reported to be a poor prognostic factor in HCC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors…this investigation revealed a significant association between baseline CRP levels and prognosis in patients with HCC undergoing lenvatinib treatment. Elevated CRP was identified as a substantial negative predictor of OS, even in patients with relatively healthier liver function. Importantly, a serum CRP level exceeding 0.5 mg/dL at baseline was determined to be an unfavorable prognostic factor in HCC patients treated with lenvatinib.

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