cancer Flashcards
1
Q
list some of the cancer classifications
A
- carcinoma (epithelial)
- sarcoma (connective tissue)
- myeloma (plasma cells of the bone marrow)
- leukaemia (bone marrow)
- lymphoma (lymphatic system)
2
Q
Define oncogenes and mutation
A
they are positive growth regulators. when there is a mutation of oncogenes, this leads to uncontrolled cell growth
3
Q
Define tumour suppressor genes and mutation
A
eg BRCA gene is originally a tumour suppressor gene that regulates cell devision and can activate apoptosis. when they are mutated, there is little control of tumour suppression.
4
Q
define DNA repair genes and mutation
A
code for the proteins that repair DNA, and activate apoptosis if they cannot be repaired. mutation: over time they will not be able to repair DNA and will cause cancer cells
5
Q
which SNPs are related to breast cancer?
A
- BRCA 1 and 2
- ESR 1 and 2
6
Q
which SNPs are related to many cancers such as prostate, lung, gut and lung
A
- MTHFR
- GSTP1 (utilising glutathione)
- VDR
7
Q
which SPN is associated with increased lung cancer risk
A
CYP1A1
8
Q
which SNP is associated with increased prostate cancer risk
A
CYP1B1
9
Q
what functions can SNPs effect in relation to cancer?
A
- detoxification
- antioxidant
- cell repair pathways
10
Q
what does gene GSTP1 do
A
utilises glutathione to reduce environmental toxins and heavy metals
11
Q
how can high levels of cabs promote cancer?
A
- high insulin promote the mTOR pathway (at the expense of the beneficial AMPK pathway) which is a signalling pathway that promotes growth
- cancer loves sugar
- consistent high intake = hyperglycaemia = inflammation and IGF1
- tumours express insulin receptors, so high insulin = tumour growth
12
Q
what does the AMPK pathway do and how can it be enhanced?
A
clearance of non-viable cells. it can be enhanced by a low carb diet, ketogenic diet and fasting.
13
Q
what does IGF1 do?
A
inhibits apoptosis and stimulates cell proliferation
14
Q
how can being overweight promote cancer?
A
- excess adipose tissue = oestrogen, insulin, IGF1 and leptin
- low adiponectin (protects against tumour growth)
- increases inflammation and oxidative stress = DNA damage
15
Q
what does NF-kB activate?
A
- cell proliferation
- metastasis
- angiogenesis
16
Q
high levels of what amino acid causes activation of NF-kB?
A
homocysteine
17
Q
What causes AGEs?
A
too much circulating glucose
18
Q
how can leaky gut promote cancer?
A
gram negative bacteria from the microbiome (LPS) enter the blood stream causing inflammation from IL-6 and NF-kB
19
Q
how is omega-6 cancer causing?
A
creates arachadonic acid, activates prostaglandins and other inflammatory processes
20
Q
how does vitamin D protect from cancer?
A
- vitamin D regulates the cell cycle
- induces apoptosis
- downregulates apoptotic genes
- promotes cell differentiation
- anti-inflammatory in tumour microenvironment
21
Q
how does vitamin D regulate the cell cycle
A
it interferes between G1 and S, and stops non-viable cells from growing any further
22
Q
how can dairy cause cancer?
A
IGF-1 in dairy promotes cell proliferation
23
Q
when cooking starchy foods at above 120oc, what carcinogen can be produced?
A
acrylamide
24
Q
which carcinogen does alcohol create in the liver?
A
acetyldehyde
25
how can stress cause cancer?
- high cortisol levels can cause suppression of the tumour suppression gene p53
- weakens immune cells
- increase SNS activation causing stem cell dysregulation and increased risk of tumour growth
26
how does melatonin prevent cancer?
antioxidant increasing cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes and t cell immune activities
27
what diet changes can help support cancer patients?
- nutrient dense
- Mediterranean diet
- elimination of dairy, processed meat, refined carbs, artificial sweeteners
- optimise vitamin D (75-125 nmol/l)
- sleep
- stress management
- support blood glucose
- lymphatic system support
28
how can polyphenols help with cancer?
- high antioxidant status (reduce DNA oxidative damage)
- downregulate NF-kB
- anti-proliferative
- anti-apoptotic
- anti-angiogenic
- anti-metastatic
29
how do polyphenols support inhibiting angiogenesis?
tumours secrete the protein vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoting the growth of new blood vessels for the tumour, and polyphenols inhibit this.
30
how does the p53 gene support cancer inhibition?
it is antagonistic to NF-kB and mTOR
31
name some anti-cancer polyphenols, and what foods are they in
- curcumin (turmeric)
- EGCG (green tea)
- reservatrol (grape skin, raspberries and blueberries)
- anthocyanins (blueberries, red grapes, acai berries)
- lycopene (tomatoes, watermelon)
- quercitin (onions)
-
32
how does the mTOR pathway support cancer growth?
- promotes protein synthesis, increasing cell proliferation
- enhances metabolic process, increasing cell proliferation
- resistance to apoptosis
- promotes angiogenesis
33
how does omega-3 inhibit NF-kB?
generates pro-resolution mediators such as resolvins and protectins, that prevent the inflammatory processes
34
how does cancer change glucose and what does it do? which diet would inhibit this?
is uses glycolysis to change glucose to pyruvate, which is then converted to isolactic acid and a small amount of ethanol. ketogenic diet would help this not happen.
35
how does the fasting mimicking diet help to support cancer patients?
- downregulating pro-oncogene pathways putting the cells into stress-resistant mode
- levels of glucose, insulin and IGF-1 are lowered
- adiponectic is increased (reduces inflammation)
- reduces mTOR activity
- induces sirturin activity which plays a role in maintaining genome integrity, keeping DNA from getting damaged and mutated
- anti-tumour effect protecting cells from toxins from chemotherapy
36
how does cachexia happen in cancer patients?
cancer cells need carbon and nitrogen to make new cells. they get this from the L-glutamine found in muscles.
37
which supplements would you suggest for cachexia?
- omega-3
- carnitine (prevents muscle catabolism)
38
How can vitamin D help cancer patients? RD?
- anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating
- inhibits cancer cell proliferation
- pro-apoptotic
- anti-angiogenic
- supplements have been shown to support chemo
RD: 5000-20,000 IU/day
39
How can Reishi help cancer patients? RD?
- inhibit NF-kB
- supports immune function (increase NK cells)
- especially helps with breast and prostate cancer
RD: 6g daily
40
How can vitamin C help cancer patients? RD?
- reduce risk of cancer
- enhances immune function
- reduces oxidative stress
- can reverse genetic impact of environmental pollutants
RD: 1-5g/day preventative
41
what can vitamin C be taken with to avoid nausea?
take with magnesium and calcium
42
how does IV vitamin C help cancer patients
- acts as a pro-oxidative to cancer cells (cancer cells thrive in low-oxygen state)
- inhibits cancer cell migration
- immune stimulant
43
How can shittake help cancer patients? RD?
- promotes the p53 tumour suppressant gene
- anti-angiogenic
- pro-apoptotic
- anti-proliferative
- reduces chemo side effects
RD: 6g /day
44
How can turkey tail help cancer patients? RD?
- the polysaccharides can prolong life
- minimise chemo/radio side effects
- anti-angiogenic
- pro-apoptosis
- anti-proliferative
45
How can resveratrol help cancer patients? RD?
- antioxidant
- anti-tumour
- anti-inflammatory
- sensitises cancer cells to chemo
RD: 1500-3000 mg/day
46
What does Garsons therapy involve?
- organic plant based juice diet (13 juices for 13 hours)
- supplements: potassium, thyroid hormones, pancreatic enzymes, iodine solution, B3 and B12
- coffee enemas, clay and caster oil packs
46
How can turmeric help cancer patients? RD?
- anti-inflammatory
- antioxidant
- interferes with cell signalling pathways including apoptosis, angiogenesis and proliferation
-
RD: 1-2g /day
47
which 2 traits do all cancer cells share?
- addiction to glucose
- hypoxia
48
which supplements should be prescribed with caution?
- folate
- iron
- glutamine
49
name some breast cancer risk factors
- high circulating oestrogen, testosterone or progesterone
- starting period before the age of 12
- HRT use and OCP
- having children after the age of 30
- imbalance between oestrogen metabolites (2-OH-E, 4-OH-E and 16a-OH-E)
- obesity
- heavy metals
- poor detoxification (methylation of COMT)
- constipation and dysbiosis
50
which of the oestrogen metabolites is pro-carcinogenic
4-OH-E
51
how is 2-OH-E positive for the body?
- anti-proliferative
- anti-carcinogenic
52
how is 16a-OH-E harmful
can cause DNA damage and cell proliferation
53
how do we address oestrogen dominance and the oestrogen metabolites?
- cruciferous veggies
- resveratrol
- turmeric
- berries
- indole-3-carbonol (induces CYP1A1)
- omega-3 improves 4-OH:16-OH metabolites
- flaxseeds
- support phase 2 oestrogen metabolism
54
What supplemetns can support methylation?
- B12
- B6
- folate
- choline
- betaine
- glutathione
55
How does reishi prevent breast cancer
inhibits NF-kB and aromatase activity
56
Name some risks for prostate cancer
- poor methylation/detoxification
- abdominal obesity
- increase 5a-reductase (conversion of testosterone to DHT)
- high saturated fat intake
- gut dysbiosis (b-glucaronidase = oestrogen = cell proliferation)
57
How can zink be useful for prostate cancer?
- reduces DHT by inhibiting 5a-reductase which converts testosterone to DHT
- reduces inflammation via inhibiting NF-kB
- stabilises RNA/DNA
- anti-proliferative
58
How can selenium be useful for prostate cancer?
- cofactor in glutathione peroxidase
- reduces oxidative damage of dietary fats
59
How can lycopene be useful for prostate cancer?
- reduces oxidative damage of DNA
- reduces growth and risk of prostate cancer calls
60
List some colorectal cancer risks
- disturbance to gut microbiome or colonic mucosal membrane
- smoking
- no exercise
- alcohol intake
- high intake of red meat
- low fibre
61
how can quercetin help with colorectal cancer?
- inhibits NF-kB, TNF-a and COX-2
- antioxidant
- induces production of glutathione
- reduces DNA damage
- influences signal pathways to reduce proliferation and induce apoptosis
- may increase response to treatment
62
how can calcium help with colorectal cancer?
- increases diferentiation and apoptosis of non-viable cells
- reduces proliferation
63
which nutrients and herbs can help with cancer treatment side effects?
- ginger for nausea
- slippery elm for diarrhoea
- bifidobactrium and lactobacillus for diarrhoea
- vitamin D (low levels increase osteoporosis risk and side effect severity)
- exercise helps with fatigue during and after treatment
64
what are nutritional recommendations for someone after BMT
- increase protein (not red or processed meat)
- high polyphenols
- be aware of transplant-acquired allergies
65
