Foods for Astrocytoma!

Introduction

Foods for Astrocytoma 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.

Astrocytoma is a type of tumor that forms in the brain, specifically in the star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. Pathology outlines play a crucial role in understanding the characteristics and features of astrocytoma, aiding in accurate diagnosis. It is important to distinguish astrocytoma from glioblastoma, which is a more aggressive and malignant form of brain cancer. Radiology techniques are valuable in visualizing astrocytoma and assessing its location and extent. Common symptoms of astrocytoma can include headaches, seizures, changes in vision or speech, and cognitive difficulties. Accurate coding using the ICD-10 system ensures proper documentation of astrocytoma in medical records. Astrocytomas are classified into different grades based on their malignancy, with grade 3 and grade 2 astrocytomas being more aggressive than lower-grade tumors. Survival rates for astrocytoma may vary depending on various factors, including the grade and extent of the tumor. Treatment options for astrocytoma involve a multidisciplinary approach, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, with the goal of managing symptoms and slowing tumor growth. Understanding the genetic aspects of astrocytoma and identifying risk factors are active areas of research. Comprehensive treatment, including chemotherapy, may be utilized in some cases to improve outcomes. Surgical removal of the tumor is a common approach, depending on the location and accessibility. While there is no specific known cause for astrocytoma, ongoing research focuses on elucidating the underlying etiology. By staying informed about the latest advancements in treatment and understanding genetic risks, healthcare providers can offer the best possible care and support to individuals with astrocytoma.

For Astrocytoma 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 Astrocytoma 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 Astrocytoma?

For example does it matter if vegetable Wild Carrot is consumed more compared to Pepper? Does it make any difference if fruit Sapodilla is preferred over Evergreen Blackberry? Also if similar choices are made for nuts/seeds like Butternut over Brazil Nut and for pulses like Cowpea over Lima Bean. And if what I eat matters – then how does one identify foods which are recommended for Astrocytoma and is it the same answer for everyone with the same diagnosis or genetic risk?

Yes! Foods you eat matters for Astrocytoma!

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 Sapodilla contains active ingredients Curcumin, Apigenin, Lupeol, Formononetin, Daidzein. And Evergreen Blackberry contains active ingredients Ellagic Acid, Eugenol, Methyleugenol, Linalool, Myricetin and possibly others.

A common mistake made when deciding and choosing foods to eat for Astrocytoma – 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 Astrocytoma.

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

Skills Needed for Nutrition Personalization for Astrocytoma?

Personalized nutrition for cancers like Astrocytoma 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 Astrocytoma 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 Astrocytoma

All cancers like Astrocytoma can be characterized by a unique set of biochemical pathways – the signature pathways of Astrocytoma. Biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle, Growth Factor Signaling, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Inositol Phosphate Signaling are part of the signature definition of Astrocytoma. Each individual’s cancer genetics can be different and hence their specific cancer signature could be unique.

The treatments which are effective for Astrocytoma 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 Astrocytoma when taking cancer treatment Irinotecan, 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.

NF1, TERT, EGFR, PIK3CG and PIK3CA are the top ranked reported genes for Astrocytoma. NF1 is reported in 5.6 % of the representative patients across all clinical trials. And TERT is reported in 5.6 %. The combined population patient data cover ages from 6 to 16. 55.3 % of the patient data are identified as men. The Astrocytoma 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 Astrocytoma

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 CARROT or PEPPER?

Vegetable Wild Carrot contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Apigenin, Quercetin, Lupeol, Vitamin E. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like NFKB Signaling, Cell Cycle, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and Apoptosis and others. Wild Carrot is recommended for Astrocytoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Irinotecan. This is because Wild Carrot modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Irinotecan.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Pepper are Curcumin, Apigenin, Quercetin, Lupeol, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like DNA Repair and Growth Factor Signaling and others. Pepper is not recommended for Astrocytoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Irinotecan because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

VEGETABLE WILD CARROT IS RECOMMENDED OVER PEPPER FOR Astrocytoma AND TREATMENT Irinotecan.

Choose Fruit EVERGREEN BLACKBERRY or SAPODILLA?

Fruit Evergreen Blackberry contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Ellagic Acid, Eugenol, Methyleugenol, Linalool, Myricetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, NFKB Signaling, JAK-STAT Signaling and Notch Signaling and others. Evergreen Blackberry is recommended for Astrocytoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Irinotecan. This is because Evergreen Blackberry modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Irinotecan.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Sapodilla are Curcumin, Apigenin, Lupeol, Formononetin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle and DNA Repair and others. Sapodilla is not recommended for Astrocytoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Irinotecan because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

FRUIT EVERGREEN BLACKBERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER SAPODILLA FOR Astrocytoma AND TREATMENT Irinotecan.

Choose Nut BUTTERNUT or BRAZIL NUT?

Butternut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Apigenin, Lupeol, Formononetin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like NFKB Signaling, JAK-STAT Signaling, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and P53 Signaling and others. Butternut is recommended for Astrocytoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Irinotecan. This is because Butternut modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Irinotecan.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in Brazil Nut are Curcumin, Ellagic Acid, Lupeol, Formononetin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like NFKB Signaling, JAK-STAT Signaling and DNA Repair and others. Brazil Nut is not recommended for Astrocytoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Irinotecan because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

BUTTERNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER BRAZIL NUT FOR Astrocytoma AND TREATMENT Irinotecan.

For Individuals with Genetic Risk of Cancer

The question asked by individuals who have genetic risk of Astrocytoma 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 GIANT BUTTERBUR or SPINACH?

Vegetable Giant Butterbur contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Apigenin, Delphinidin, Lupeol, Catechol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Growth Factor Signaling and P53 Signaling and others. Giant Butterbur is recommended for risk of Astrocytoma when associated genetic risk is EGFR. This is because Giant Butterbur increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Spinach are Quercetin, Curcumin, Apigenin, Delphinidin, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Spinach is not recommended when risk of Astrocytoma when associated genetic risk is EGFR because it increases the signature pathways of it.

VEGETABLE GIANT BUTTERBUR IS RECOMMENDED OVER SPINACH FOR EGFR GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Fruit NANCE or PUMMELO?

Fruit Nance contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Apigenin, Delphinidin, Lupeol, Catechol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Growth Factor Signaling and P53 Signaling and others. Nance is recommended for risk of Astrocytoma when associated genetic risk is EGFR. This is because Nance increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Pummelo are Quercetin, Curcumin, Apigenin, Delphinidin, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Pummelo is not recommended when risk of Astrocytoma when associated genetic risk is EGFR because it increases the signature pathways of it.

FRUIT NANCE IS RECOMMENDED OVER PUMMELO FOR EGFR GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Nut COMMON HAZELNUT or PUMPKIN SEEDS?

Common Hazelnut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Quercetin, Curcumin, Delphinidin, Lupeol, Catechol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, Inositol Phosphate Signaling, RAS-RAF Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Common Hazelnut is recommended for risk of Astrocytoma when associated genetic risk is EGFR. This is because Common Hazelnut increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in Pumpkin Seeds are Beta-sitosterol, Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Stigmasterol, Gamma-linolenic Acid. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Pumpkin Seeds is not recommended when risk of Astrocytoma when associated genetic risk is EGFR because it increases the signature pathways of it.

COMMON HAZELNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER PUMPKIN SEEDS FOR EGFR GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

In Conclusion

Foods and Supplements chosen are important decisions for cancers like Astrocytoma. Astrocytoma 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 Astrocytoma, 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 Carrot 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 Astrocytoma?”. The addon multi-disciplinary team includes cancer physicians, clinical scientists, software engineers and data scientists.

References

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• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559042
• https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Astrocytoma-Tumors
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17863-astrocytoma