Foods for Leiomyosarcoma!

Introduction

Foods for Leiomyosarcoma should be personalized for each individual and also must adapt when cancer treatment or tumor genetic change. The personalization and adaptation must consider all the active ingredients or bioactives contained in different foods with respect to cancer tissue biology, genetics, treatments, lifestyle conditions and diet preferences. Hence while nutrition is one of the very important decisions for a cancer patient and individual at risk of cancer to make – how to choose foods to eat is not an easy task.

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare cancer that forms in involuntary smooth muscle tissue found in different regions of the body including stomach, bladder, uterus, intestines, and blood vessels. It is an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma that occurs more often in women than men, and more commonly in adults over the age of 50. Symptoms of leiomyosarcoma may vary depending on how big the tumor is and where it is found in the body, but general symptoms include pain, tiredness, abdominal bloating, nausea and vomiting, weight loss and fever. Leiomyosarcoma has a high rate of spread to any soft tissue in the body including lungs. When leiomyosarcoma is diagnosed in early stages and removed by surgery, it has a good prognosis and full recovery is likely. However, if leiomyosarcoma is large and metastasized to other parts of the body, treatment is more difficult and has a poor prognosis. Treatment modalities for leiomyosarcoma include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Supportive care with the right nutrition (foods and natural supplements) along with the treatment can improve patient well-being.

For Leiomyosarcoma does it matter what vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds one eats?

A very common nutrition question asked by cancer patients and individuals at-genetic risk of cancer is – for cancers like Leiomyosarcoma does it matter what foods I eat and which I do not? Or if I follow a plant-based diet is that enough for cancer like Leiomyosarcoma?

For example does it matter if vegetable Giant Butterbur is consumed more compared to Malabar Spinach? Does it make any difference if fruit Pummelo is preferred over Red Raspberry? Also if similar choices are made for nuts/seeds like Common Walnut over Chestnut and for pulses like Broad Bean over Chickpea. And if what I eat matters – then how does one identify foods which are recommended for Leiomyosarcoma and is it the same answer for everyone with the same diagnosis or genetic risk?

Yes! Foods you eat matters for Leiomyosarcoma!

Food recommendations may not be the same for everyone and can be different even for the same diagnosis and genetic risk.

All foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, pulses, oils etc.) and nutritional supplements are made up of more than one active molecular ingredient or bio-actives in different proportions and quantities. Each active ingredient has a unique mechanism of action – which can be activation or inhibition of different biochemical pathways. Simply stated foods and supplements which are recommended are those which do not cause an increase of molecular drivers of cancer but reduce them. Else those foods should not be recommended. Foods contain multiple active ingredients – hence when evaluating foods and supplements you need to consider the impact of all active ingredients cumulatively rather than individually.

For example Pummelo contains active ingredients Quercetin, Curcumin, Caffeic Acid, Phloretin, Catechol. And Red Raspberry contains active ingredients Quercetin, Ellagic Acid, Curcumin, Phloretin, Catechol and possibly others.

A common mistake made when deciding and choosing foods to eat for Leiomyosarcoma – is to evaluate only selected active ingredients contained in foods and ignore the rest. Because different active ingredients contained in foods may have opposing effects on cancer drivers – you cannot cherry pick active ingredients in foods and supplements for making a nutrition decision for Leiomyosarcoma.

YES – FOOD CHOICES MATTER FOR CANCER. NUTRITION DECISIONS MUST CONSIDER ALL ACTIVE INGREDIENTS OF FOODS.

Skills Needed for Nutrition Personalization for Leiomyosarcoma?

Personalized nutrition for cancers like Leiomyosarcoma consists of recommended foods / supplements; not recommended foods / supplements with example recipes which prioritize use of recommended foods. An example of personalized nutrition can be seen at this link.

Deciding which foods are recommended or not is extremely complicated, requiring expertise in Leiomyosarcoma biology, food science, genetics, biochemistry along with good understanding of how cancer treatments work and associated vulnerabilities by which the treatments could stop being effective.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE EXPERTISE NEEDED FOR NUTRITION PERSONALIZATION FOR CANCER ARE: CANCER BIOLOGY, FOOD SCIENCE, CANCER TREATMENTS AND GENETICS.

Characteristics of cancers like Leiomyosarcoma

All cancers like Leiomyosarcoma can be characterized by a unique set of biochemical pathways – the signature pathways of Leiomyosarcoma. Biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Small Molecule Transport, Focal Adhesion are part of the signature definition of Leiomyosarcoma. Each individual’s cancer genetics can be different and hence their specific cancer signature could be unique.

The treatments which are effective for Leiomyosarcoma need to be cognizant of the associated signature biochemical pathways for each cancer patient and individual at genetic risk. Therefore different treatments with different mechanisms of actions are effective for different patients. Similarly and for the same reasons foods and supplements need to be personalized for each individual. Hence some foods and supplements are recommended for Leiomyosarcoma when taking cancer treatment Fluorouracil, and some foods and supplements are not recommended.

Sources like cBioPortal and many others provide population representative patient anonymized data from clinical trials for all cancer indications. This data consists of clinical trial study details like sample size / number of patients, age groups, gender, ethnicity, treatments, tumor site and any genetic mutations.

RB1, PTEN, RYR2, MT-CO1 and MAP2 are the top ranked reported genes for Leiomyosarcoma. RB1 is reported in 3.7 % of the representative patients across all clinical trials. And PTEN is reported in 1.4 %. The combined population patient data cover ages from 33 to 90. 36.7 % of the patient data are identified as men. The Leiomyosarcoma biology along with reported genetics together define the population represented signature biochemical pathways for this cancer. If the individual cancer tumor genetics or genes contributing to the risk are also known then that should also be used for nutrition personalization.

NUTRITION CHOICES SHOULD MATCH WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL’S CANCER SIGNATURE.

Food and Supplements for Leiomyosarcoma

For Cancer Patients

Cancer patients on treatment or on palliative care need to make decisions on food and supplements – for the needed dietary calories, for managing any treatment side effects and also for improved cancer management. All plant-based foods are not equal and choosing and prioritizing foods which are personalized and customized to ongoing cancer treatment is important and complicated. Here are some examples providing guidelines for making nutrition decisions.

Choose Vegetable GIANT BUTTERBUR or MALABAR SPINACH?

Vegetable Giant Butterbur contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Caffeic Acid, Phloretin, Catechol, Lycopene. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like MAPK Signaling, DNA Repair, Adherens junction and Microtubule Dynamics and others. Giant Butterbur is recommended for Leiomyosarcoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil. This is because Giant Butterbur modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Fluorouracil.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Malabar Spinach are Quercetin, Curcumin, Caffeic Acid, Phloretin, Catechol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Nucleotide metabolism, NFKB Signaling and Oxidative Stress and others. Malabar Spinach is not recommended for Leiomyosarcoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

VEGETABLE GIANT BUTTERBUR IS RECOMMENDED OVER MALABAR SPINACH FOR Leiomyosarcoma AND TREATMENT Fluorouracil.

Choose Fruit RED RASPBERRY or PUMMELO?

Fruit Red Raspberry contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Quercetin, Ellagic Acid, Curcumin, Phloretin, Catechol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like MAPK Signaling, DNA Repair, Adherens junction and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Red Raspberry is recommended for Leiomyosarcoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil. This is because Red Raspberry modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Fluorouracil.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Pummelo are Quercetin, Curcumin, Caffeic Acid, Phloretin, Catechol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like DNA Repair and Oxidative Stress and others. Pummelo is not recommended for Leiomyosarcoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

FRUIT RED RASPBERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER PUMMELO FOR Leiomyosarcoma AND TREATMENT Fluorouracil.

Choose Nut COMMON WALNUT or CHESTNUT?

Common Walnut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Quercetin, Ellagic Acid, Curcumin, Phloretin, Catechol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like MAPK Signaling, DNA Repair, NFKB Signaling and Focal Adhesion and others. Common Walnut is recommended for Leiomyosarcoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil. This is because Common Walnut modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Fluorouracil.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in Chestnut are Ellagic Acid, Curcumin, Caffeic Acid, Phloretin, Catechol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Oxidative Stress and Netrin Signaling and others. Chestnut is not recommended for Leiomyosarcoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

COMMON WALNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER CHESTNUT FOR Leiomyosarcoma AND TREATMENT Fluorouracil.

For Individuals with Genetic Risk of Cancer

The question asked by individuals who have genetic risk of Leiomyosarcoma or familial history is “What Should I Eat Differently from Before?” and how they should choose foods and supplements to manage risks of the disease. Since for cancer risk there is nothing actionable in terms of treatment – decisions of foods and supplements become important and one of the very few actionable things which can be done. All plant-based foods are not equal and based on identified genetics and pathway signature – the choices of food and supplements should be personalized.

Choose Vegetable GARDEN CRESS or SHALLOT?

Vegetable Garden Cress contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Formononetin, Benzyl Isothiocyanate. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle Checkpoints, Angiogenesis, Growth Factor Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Garden Cress is recommended for risk of Leiomyosarcoma when associated genetic risk is MAP2. This is because Garden Cress increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Shallot are Apigenin, Curcumin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Stem Cell Signaling and Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics and others. Shallot is not recommended when risk of Leiomyosarcoma when associated genetic risk is MAP2 because it increases the signature pathways of it.

VEGETABLE GARDEN CRESS IS RECOMMENDED OVER SHALLOT FOR MAP2 GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Fruit GRAPEFRUIT/PUMMELO HYBRID or BREADNUT TREE SEED?

Fruit Grapefruit/pummelo Hybrid contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Apigenin, Curcumin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like DNA Repair, MYC Signaling, Stem Cell Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Grapefruit/pummelo Hybrid is recommended for risk of Leiomyosarcoma when associated genetic risk is MAP2. This is because Grapefruit/pummelo Hybrid increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Breadnut Tree Seed are Apigenin, Curcumin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle Checkpoints, DNA Repair and Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics and others. Breadnut Tree Seed is not recommended when risk of Leiomyosarcoma when associated genetic risk is MAP2 because it increases the signature pathways of it.

FRUIT GRAPEFRUIT/PUMMELO HYBRID IS RECOMMENDED OVER BREADNUT TREE SEED FOR MAP2 GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Nut COMMON HAZELNUT or EUROPEAN CHESTNUT?

Common Hazelnut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Quercetin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like DNA Repair, MYC Signaling, Stem Cell Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Common Hazelnut is recommended for risk of Leiomyosarcoma when associated genetic risk is MAP2. This is because Common Hazelnut increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in European Chestnut are Apigenin, Curcumin, Quercetin, Ellagic Acid, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Stem Cell Signaling and Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics and others. European Chestnut is not recommended when risk of Leiomyosarcoma when associated genetic risk is MAP2 because it increases the signature pathways of it.

COMMON HAZELNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER EUROPEAN CHESTNUT FOR MAP2 GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

In Conclusion

Foods and Supplements chosen are important decisions for cancers like Leiomyosarcoma. Leiomyosarcoma patients and individuals with genetic-risk always have this question: “What foods and nutritional supplements are recommended for me and which are not?” There is a common belief which is a misconception that all plant-based foods could be beneficial or not but would not be harmful. Certain foods and supplements can interfere with cancer treatments or promote molecular pathway drivers of cancer.

There are different types of cancer indications like Leiomyosarcoma, each with different tumor genetics with further genomic variations across each individual. Further every cancer treatment and chemotherapy has a unique mechanism of action. Each food like Giant Butterbur contains various bioactives in different quantities, which have an impact on different and distinct sets of biochemical pathways. The definition of personalized nutrition is individualized food recommendations for the cancer indication, treatments, genetics, lifestyle and other factors. Nutrition personalization decisions for cancer require knowledge of cancer biology, food science and an understanding of different chemotherapy treatments. Finally when there are treatment changes or new genomics is identified – the nutrition personalization needs re-evaluation.

The addon nutrition personalization solution makes the decision making easy and removes all the guesswork in answering the question, “What foods should I choose or not choose for Leiomyosarcoma?”. The addon multi-disciplinary team includes cancer physicians, clinical scientists, software engineers and data scientists.

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