How Aging Influences Immunity

Adaptive immunity declines as we age, and our innate immunity increases in activity.  One example includes thymic involution altering the population of T cells.  While innate immunity activity increases, there is a subsequent rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines resulting in a pro-inflammatory phenotype. The ancient signaling pathway found in both insects and vertebrates is the NF-kB system, which regulates our innate immune system.  The NF-kB pathway organizes intracellular immune responses, thus controlling the aging process, and age-related diseases.

Salminen et al (2008) review the role of innate immunity signaling in this journal article. 

View the abstract @  Activation of innate immunity system during aging: NF-kB signaling is the molecular culprit of inflamm-aging

Salminen, A., Huuskonen, J., Ojala, J., Kauppinen, A., Kaarniranta, K. & Suuronen, T., 2008, Activation of innate immunity system during aging: NF-kB signaling is the molecular culprit of inflamm-aging, Ageing research reviews, 7(2), pp. 83-105

Antioxidants & Cancer Treatment

Simone Protective Cancer Institute investigated all evidence concerning antioxidant and other nutrients used concurrently with chemotherapy and radiation in national databases (MEDLINE & CANCERLIT).  The research reviewed 280 peer-reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies, including 50 human studies, between 1970 and 2003. 5,081 of these patients were given nutrients and showed no interference with cancer therapy. In 15 human studies which included 3,738 patients taking non-prescription antioxidants and other nutrients had an increased survival.

View the abstract @ PUBMED

Simone CB 2nd, Simone NL, Simone V, Simone CB.  Antioxidants and other nutrients do not interfere with chemotherapy or radiation therapy and can increase kill and increase survival, part 1 Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 Jan-Feb;13(1):22-8. Review. 

PMID:

 

17283738

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Gynecology & Curcumin

A novel curcumin treatment in gynecology is discussed in the study by Debata et al (2012).  HPV infection is the main underlying etiology for cervical cancer, which is the leading cause of death in women worldwide.  The project tests a curcumin therapy for the treatment of cervical cancer.  Results indicate that curcumin upregulates p53 in cancer cells, and selectively induces anti-cancer effects on cancer cell lines.  In vitro and in vivo mouse models show that the curcumin treatment does not affect non-cancerous cells.

Data indicates that the use of curcumin may be an effective anti-cancer and anti-viral agent.


Debata PR, et al, A novel curcumin-based vaginal cream Vacurin selectively eliminates apposed human cervical cancer cells, Gynecol Oncol (2012),  A Novel Treament, Vacurin

Melatonin Exerts Growth Inhibition in Breast Cancer Cells

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examines the efficacy and safety of melatonin in concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy for solid tumors.  Wang et al (2012) discusses both in vitro and in vivo investigations of how melatonin protects healthy cells from radiation and chemotherapy toxicity.  Melatonin was found to be effective in suppressing the growth of tumors and decreasing the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy.  It is also noted that additional research (see citations) has found melatonin to be effective in suppressing tumor growth in a variety of cancers such as melanoma, breast, prostate, ovarian, and colorectal cancer.

See the entire article @ SpringerLink: CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY AND PHARMACOLOGY

Integrative Cancer Therapies: A Whole-Systems Approach

A 10-year retrospective survival study investigated the use of "Pan-Asian medicine & vitamins" as therapy in a case series (n=239) of non-small lung cancer patients.  The investigation compared short-term treatment with long-term treatment (duration lasting time span of chemotherapy/radiotherapy and beyond conventional Tx).  Comparisons also included Pan-Asian medicine & vitamins plus conventional therapy with conventional therapy alone.  Results of the study suggest that there are survival advantages and benefits of using Pan-Asian medicine and vitamins combined with conventional therapy.

This comprehensive and novel research was completed by Pine Street's Clinical Director, Michael Broffman, and Research Director, Michael McCulloch.

View the entire article and abstract @ the Pine Street Foundation: (McCulloch et al., 2011)

Pine Street Foundation

Ganoderma Lucidum May Also Help in Decrease Chemotherapy-induced Side Effects

The Reishi, or Lingzhi Mushroom, has been recorded in Chinese texts as medicinal fungi for more than 2,000 years.  The fungal genus Ganoderma, refers to the closely related species of Reishi, which has been predominantly known as the "mushroom of immortality".   The development of effective treatments for colorectal cancer patients has been limited by the many, and severe side effects and toxicity.  In the study published by J.T., et al. (2006) they found that Ganoderma Lucidum extracts inhibits the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.   The study also suggested that the Gandoderma Lucidum extract might also decrease the side effects of chemotherapy.

GANODERMA LUCIDUM EXTRACT INHIBITS PROLIFERATION OF SW 480 HUMAN COLORECTAL CANCER CELLS
Authors :J.T. Xie C.Z. Wang S. Wicks J.J.Yin... Vol. 28, No. 1  
See full article @ Experimental Oncology

YOGA FOR BREAST CANCER

This systematic review of randomized controlled trials revealed evidence of effectiveness only for yoga during chemotherapy or radiotherapy but not after completion of active treatment.  The review found that yoga improved psychological health in this patient population.
Twelve RCTs and 742 patients were included in this project.

The University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany produced this research project.  See the full article @ Can yoga improve fatigue in breast cancer patients? A systematic review.