Foods for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors!

Introduction

Foods for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors 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.

For Testicular Germ Cell Tumors 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 Testicular Germ Cell Tumors 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 Testicular Germ Cell Tumors?

For example does it matter if vegetable Wild Leek is consumed more compared to White Cabbage? Does it make any difference if fruit Pummelo is preferred over Persian Lime? Also if similar choices are made for nuts/seeds like Common Hazelnut over Brazil Nut and for pulses like Black-eyed Pea over Moth Bean. And if what I eat matters – then how does one identify foods which are recommended for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors and is it the same answer for everyone with the same diagnosis or genetic risk?

Yes! Foods you eat matters for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors!

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, Isoliquiritigenin, Caffeine, Genistein, Lupeol. And Persian Lime contains active ingredients Isoliquiritigenin, Myricetin, Genistein, Lupeol, Curcumin and possibly others.

A common mistake made when deciding and choosing foods to eat for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors – 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 Testicular Germ Cell Tumors.

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

Skills Needed for Nutrition Personalization for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors?

Personalized nutrition for cancers like Testicular Germ Cell Tumors 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 Testicular Germ Cell Tumors 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 Testicular Germ Cell Tumors

All cancers like Testicular Germ Cell Tumors can be characterized by a unique set of biochemical pathways – the signature pathways of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Biochemical pathways like RAS-RAF Signaling, Cell Cycle, MAPK Signaling, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling are part of the signature definition of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Each individual’s cancer genetics can be different and hence their specific cancer signature could be unique.

The treatments which are effective for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors 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 Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when taking cancer treatment Bleomycin, 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.

LZTR1, KMT2D, PIK3C2G, KIT and MYH10 are the top ranked reported genes for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. LZTR1 is reported in 4.9 % of the representative patients across all clinical trials. And KMT2D is reported in 3.3 %. The combined population patient data cover ages from 14 to 66. 100.0 % of the patient data are identified as men. The Testicular Germ Cell Tumors 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 Testicular Germ Cell Tumors

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 WILD LEEK or WHITE CABBAGE?

Vegetable Wild Leek contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Isoliquiritigenin, Genistein, Lupeol, Curcumin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle, Stem Cell Signaling, Hypoxia and Inflammation and others. Wild Leek is recommended for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when ongoing cancer treatment is Bleomycin. This is because Wild Leek modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Bleomycin.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable White Cabbage are Quercetin, Isoliquiritigenin, Genistein, Lupeol, Curcumin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Oxidative Stress and others. White Cabbage is not recommended for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when ongoing cancer treatment is Bleomycin because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

VEGETABLE WILD LEEK IS RECOMMENDED OVER WHITE CABBAGE FOR Testicular Germ Cell Tumors AND TREATMENT Bleomycin.

Choose Fruit PERSIAN LIME or PUMMELO?

Fruit Persian Lime contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Isoliquiritigenin, Myricetin, Genistein, Lupeol, Curcumin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle, Inflammation, DNA Repair and Heat Stress Response and others. Persian Lime is recommended for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when ongoing cancer treatment is Bleomycin. This is because Persian Lime modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Bleomycin.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Pummelo are Quercetin, Isoliquiritigenin, Caffeine, Genistein, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Heat Stress Response and Oxidative Stress and others. Pummelo is not recommended for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when ongoing cancer treatment is Bleomycin because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

FRUIT PERSIAN LIME IS RECOMMENDED OVER PUMMELO FOR Testicular Germ Cell Tumors AND TREATMENT Bleomycin.

Choose Nut COMMON HAZELNUT or BRAZIL NUT?

Common Hazelnut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Quercetin, Isoliquiritigenin, Caffeine, Myricetin, Genistein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like DNA Repair, Cell Cycle, Heat Stress Response and Stem Cell Signaling and others. Common Hazelnut is recommended for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when ongoing cancer treatment is Bleomycin. This is because Common Hazelnut modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Bleomycin.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in Brazil Nut are Ellagic Acid, Isoliquiritigenin, Genistein, Lupeol, Curcumin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Stem Cell Signaling, Inflammation, Cytoskeletal Dynamics and Heat Stress Response and others. Brazil Nut is not recommended for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when ongoing cancer treatment is Bleomycin because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

COMMON HAZELNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER BRAZIL NUT FOR Testicular Germ Cell Tumors AND TREATMENT Bleomycin.

For Individuals with Genetic Risk of Cancer

The question asked by individuals who have genetic risk of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors 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 CAULIFLOWER or GARDEN RHUBARB?

Vegetable Cauliflower contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Formononetin, Lupeol, Isoliquiritigenin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Hypoxia, Angiogenesis, MAPK Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints and others. Cauliflower is recommended for risk of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when associated genetic risk is KIT. This is because Cauliflower increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Garden Rhubarb are Apigenin, Quercetin, Curcumin, Rhein, Emodin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like MYC Signaling, Cytoskeletal Dynamics and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Garden Rhubarb is not recommended when risk of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when associated genetic risk is KIT because it increases the signature pathways of it.

VEGETABLE CAULIFLOWER IS RECOMMENDED OVER GARDEN RHUBARB FOR KIT GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Fruit RED RASPBERRY or FIG?

Fruit Red Raspberry contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Quercetin, Curcumin, Ellagic Acid, Formononetin, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like JAK-STAT Signaling, Angiogenesis, MAPK Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints and others. Red Raspberry is recommended for risk of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when associated genetic risk is KIT. This is because Red Raspberry increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Fig are Quercetin, Curcumin, Linalool, Lycopene, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like MAPK Signaling, Cytoskeletal Dynamics and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Fig is not recommended when risk of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when associated genetic risk is KIT because it increases the signature pathways of it.

FRUIT RED RASPBERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER FIG FOR KIT GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Nut BUTTERNUT or EUROPEAN CHESTNUT?

Butternut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Apigenin, Curcumin, Myricetin, Lycopene, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like JAK-STAT Signaling, Angiogenesis, MAPK Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints and others. Butternut is recommended for risk of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when associated genetic risk is KIT. This is because Butternut increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in European Chestnut are Apigenin, Quercetin, Curcumin, Ellagic Acid, Myricetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cytoskeletal Dynamics and others. European Chestnut is not recommended when risk of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors when associated genetic risk is KIT because it increases the signature pathways of it.

BUTTERNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER EUROPEAN CHESTNUT FOR KIT GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

In Conclusion

Foods and Supplements chosen are important decisions for cancers like Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Testicular Germ Cell Tumors 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 Testicular Germ Cell Tumors, 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 Wild Leek 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 Testicular Germ Cell Tumors?”. The addon multi-disciplinary team includes cancer physicians, clinical scientists, software engineers and data scientists.

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