Cancers and Plant-based Cancer Treatments

Based on the documentary "Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies" by Ken Burns, which is also inspired by the book by Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee.
Documentary link: PBS Ken Burns

Definition: A neoplasm is an abnormal mass of undifferentiated and disorganized cells that serve no useful purpose.
Characteristics: - Dependent on the host for nutrition and vascular support. - May grow beyond and out of coordination with surrounding tissue even when the initial stimulus is gone.

The rate of cell division may be similar to that of surrounding tissues, indicating a balance, yet there is an imbalance between cell division and cell death.

Neoplasms can be: - Benign: May grow large but remain contained; do not spread to other parts of the body. - Malignant: Spread beyond the original tumor into other body parts (metastasis).

Cancer is divided into stages based on spread and metastasis; staging systems are specific to each type of cancer: - Stage 0: Abnormal cells growing in their normal location. - Stage I: Localized cancer, often as a single small tumor. - Stage II: Localized but more advanced cancer, larger tumor, and may spread to nearby lymph nodes. - Stage III: More advanced localized cancer, larger than Stage II, has invaded local tissues, and spread to nearby lymph nodes. - Stage IV: Cancer has metastasized from the original tumor to other parts of the body.
Early-stage cancers are more treatable; once spread, elimination becomes much more challenging.

Solid tumors require a blood supply to grow beyond a few millimeters; this process is called angiogenesis.
Tumors and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF): - Tumors secrete hormones called vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) that induce angiogenesis. - Steps of VEGF-induced angiogenesis: 1. Tumor secretes VEGF. 2. VEGF increases blood vessel expression and movement to the tumor. 3. Tumor receives increased blood supply.
Dr. Judah Folkman is noted for pioneering cancer angiogenesis research, proposing that tumors can induce angiogenesis to create their own blood supply and advocating for anti-angiogenesis drugs.

Fumagillin: Produced by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus; one of the first anti-angiogenesis compounds studied. Although not developed into a useful drug, it spurred further research in anti-angiogenesis therapies.

Cancer cells can produce hormones and synthesize their own growth factors, facilitating their growth.
Capable of degrading intracellular matrices for mobility and activating oncogenes leading to uncontrolled cell division, while inactivating tumor suppressor genes.

Historically, it was believed that cancers spread by outward growth from the origin; however, the 1970s revealed that tumors can metastasize through the lymphatic system or bloodstream, forming secondary tumors distant from the primary site.
The study of metastasis is a cutting-edge area of oncology research.

Benign tumors typically end with “-oma” (e.g., Lipoma, Fibroma).
Malignant tumors generally end with “-carcinoma” or “-sarcoma” (e.g., fibrocarcinoma).
Blood or lymphatic cancers usually end in “-emia” (e.g., Leukemia).

Random DNA Copying Errors: A 2017 study suggests the majority of cancers stem from random DNA copying errors.

Up to 15% of cancers worldwide are virus-induced.
Notable examples include: - Human Papillomavirus: Main cause of cervical cancer and associated with throat, mouth, vulvar, and rectal cancers. - An effective vaccine exists but needs to be administered before exposure. - Herpes Simplex Virus I: Common oral herpes, can trigger oral cancers, particularly in smokers. - Kaposi's Sarcoma Virus: Associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, prevalent in gay men with HIV. - Epstein-Barr Virus: Causes mononucleosis and can trigger Burkitt’s lymphoma in malnourished children or those with malaria. - Hepatitis B Virus: Chronic infection can lead to liver cancer if untreated. - Hepatitis C Virus: Now has an effective cure, chronic infection can result in liver cancers and lymphomas.

Helicobacter Pylori: Causes ulcers that may lead to stomach cancer if untreated.
Liver Flukes: Associated with liver cancers.
Schistosomiasis: Associated with bladder cancer.
Lyme Disease: Can lead, in rare cases, to lymphomas if untreated.

Tobacco Use: The leading cause of preventable cancer worldwide, responsible for 20% of all cancers and 30% of cancer deaths in the U.S., causing high rates of lung cancer deaths. Tobacco kills approximately 8 million people annually, including 1.3 million exposed to secondhand smoke.
Red Meat and Animal Fats: Associated with breast, colon, and prostate cancers; particularly risky when combined with smoking.
Alcohol: Linked to esophageal, oral, and larynx cancers, especially among smokers.
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Historically linked to increased cancer risks, newer variants show no significant increase in risk.

To reduce cancer risks, it's advisable to: - Avoid tobacco use. - Limit alcohol consumption. - Reduce red meat and animal fats intake. - Consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Carotene and Lycopene: Noted for their anti-cancer properties.
Phenolic Compounds in Green Tea: Under clinical trial for cancer prevention.
Curcumin: Being studied for anti-cancer properties and potential treatment uses.
Soy Isoflavones: Investigated for anti-cancer properties and as alternatives to estrogen replacement therapy.

Methods include: - Surgical Removal of Tumors. - Radiation Therapy. - Immunotherapy. - Laser Ablation. - Chemotherapy Agents: - Selectively toxic toward malignant cells, can target cell division or specific metabolism of malignant cells.

Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus): - Originally intended as a diabetes treatment, revealed to be effective against cancers due to alkaloids like Vincristine and Vinblastine. - These alkaloids inhibit mitosis by binding to tubulin and preventing spindle fiber formation, administered intravenously. - Vincristine: Treats acute leukemia and lymphomas; improved childhood leukemia survival from 90% death rate to 90% survival rate. - Vinblastine and Vindesine: Treat various cancers including Hodgkin's disease and testicular cancers.
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale): Colchicine inhibits spindle fiber formation; however, it is rarely used due to toxicity.
White Birch (Betula alba): Betulinic Acid shows promise for treating melanomas by inducing apoptosis.
Camptotheca (Camptotheca acuminata): Compounds are highly toxic; FDA approved Topotecan for ovarian cancer and Irinotecan for colorectal cancer.
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum): Podophyllotoxin is a cell poison used to treat genital warts; derivatives like Etoposide treat various cancers by blocking the cell division cycle.
Yews (Taxus baccata and Taxus brevifolia): Produce Paclitaxel and Docetaxel as mitotic inhibitors for several cancer types. Overharvesting has led to conservation concerns for Chinese yew, making cultivation essential.