Highlights
No two cancers are the same, nor are they treated the same, and neither should nutrition be the same for everyone. Nutrition includes foods like pulses, vegetables, fruits, nuts, oils, herbs and spices. Also nutrition includes supplements which are high concentrations of foods or high concentrations of individual ingredients found in foods. For cancers like Chordoma when undergoing chemotherapy or when you determine you have a genetic risk for developing Chordoma because of GRM5 and CDKN2A gene mutations, a very important question is “What foods should I avoid and what foods are recommended specifically for me?”. The other related question is “What nutritional supplements should I avoid?”.
There is no one answer to this question for cancers such as Chordoma which can be found through internet searches. The answer to the question is “It Depends” because the nutrition plan needs to be personalized for you. Nutrition should depend on the cancer indication, genetic information, adult or pediatric, staging, primary or secondary, advanced, metastatic, relapsed or refractory, ongoing treatments if any, nutritional supplements being taken, age and factors like gender, weight, height, lifestyle, allergies and food preferences.
In short – the process to answer questions like “Should I Avoid eating fruit Strawberry” or “Include fruit Rowanberry in my diet” or “Should I reduce consumption of vegetable Spinach” or “Can I take Alpha Lipoic Acid and Quercetin supplements” is not as simple as internet searches. The process is very complex and answers are based on knowhow of genetics, action of treatments, active ingredients in foods and their associated biological action. Finally the answer to the nutrition question needs to be personalized for you.
RECOMMENDATION: PERSONALIZE YOUR FOODS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO CHORDOMA, TREATMENTS, GENETIC INFORMATION, AND OTHER CONDITIONS.
The overall objective of personalized nutrition for Chordoma is to minimize foods and nutritional supplements which have adverse interactions with cancer molecular drivers and ongoing treatments. And identify those foods and supplements which have a beneficial action. Whenever there are changes in treatments or diagnosis – it is important to remember that your foods and supplements need re-evaluation. And the answers to the nutrition question could be different based on the new context.
RECOMMENDATION: UPDATE YOUR NUTRITION FOR CHORDOMA, WHEN TREATMENTS, DISEASE STATUS AND OTHER CONDITIONS CHANGE.
About Chordoma
cBioPortal is one source of collection of cancer patient data from clinical trials across 350 plus cancer indications. The data from each clinical trial includes the clinical trial name and study details like number of patients, ages, gender, ethnicity, treatments, tumor site, genetic aberrations found and analysis of all the data. The cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics was originally developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). The public cBioPortal site is hosted by the Center for Molecular Oncology at MSK – https://www.cbioportal.org/about.
Following key highlights are derived from clinical data for Chordoma from cBioPortal. The patients enrolled in the studies for Chordoma are in ages between 10 to 85 with an average age of 60. 58.0% of males and 42.0% of females were the distribution of gender in these clinical studies. From a patient sample size of 55; the top genes with mutations and other abnormalities for Chordoma include genes DNMT3A, GRM5, PIK3CA, TERT and CDKN2A. The occurrence frequency distribution for these genes respectively is 12.0%, 8.0%, 8.0%, 8.0% and 4.0%. These tumor genetic details of Chordoma are mapped to molecular biochemical pathway drivers of cancer thereby providing definition of characteristic features of Chordoma.
Chordoma is a rare type of malignant (cancerous) bone tumor that can occur in any part of the spine or in the skull, and most often occurs in adults aged 40-70 years. Chordomas are typically slow growing tumors and the common locations in which chordomas have been found are the base of the spine (sacrum), the tailbone, and the base of the skull (the place where the spine meets the skull). Chordoma that develops in the clivus bone that is behind the back of the throat but in front of the brainstem is called Clival chordoma. Incidence of chordoma is 2-times higher in males than females. Symptoms of chordoma include headaches, visual problems such as double vision, nerve or muscle weakness in the back, legs or arms, pain, nosebleeds, runny nose, bladder, or bowel problems. Surgery is the best option for treating chordomas followed by radiotherapy, while chemotherapy has not been found to be very effective. Chordomas have a high rate of recurrence. Survival rates depend on the location of the tumor and its spread (metastases). The 5-year survival is approximately 50% overall but improved with complete surgical resection to a 65% 5-year survival rate, and much lower if the chordoma is inoperable. Supportive care with the right nutrition (foods and natural supplements) can enhance the well-being of the patient with recurrent chordoma. (Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430846/; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17916-chordomas)
Significance of Nutrition for Chordoma
All foods and nutritional supplements consist of a collection of one or more active chemical ingredients in different proportions and quantities. The action of some active ingredients in a food can have adverse interactions while other active ingredients in the same food may be supportive from the context of Chordoma. Hence the same food has good and not-so-good actions and analysis of combined effect will be needed to come up with a personalized nutrition plan.
For example Strawberry includes active ingredients Ellagic Acid, Lupeol, Pelargonidin, Beta-sitosterol, Fisetin and others. And Rowanberry contains active ingredients Quercetin, Chlorogenic Acid and others. It is likely that some of these active ingredients of the same food could have opposing effects and hence it is recommended to identify recommended foods based on analysis of all high quantity ingredients contained in foods.
For cancers like Chordoma, activation or inhibition of selected biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle, Focal Adhesion, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics plays an important role in driving cancer growth. Similarly different treatments work via different molecular actions which should never be canceled out by your foods and supplements. The foods and nutritional supplements contain different active ingredients each of which have a specific molecular action on different biochemical pathways. Hence, eating some foods and nutritional supplements would be recommended with a specific treatment of Chordoma, while eating some other foods and supplements may not be recommended.
One common mistake when finding foods to eat or not – is to consider only a few active ingredients contained in foods based on internet searches and ignore the rest. Because different active ingredients contained in foods may have opposing effects on relevant biochemical pathways – it is recommended to consider all the high quantity active ingredients that are present in significant and much larger than trace amounts in the food.
RECOMMENDATION: TO FIND RECOMMENDED AND NON-RECOMMENDED FOODS FOR CHORDOMA – CONSIDER HIGH QUANTITY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS CONTAINED IN FOODS.
Foods for Chordoma undergoing chemotherapy treatment
In Chordoma – the genes DNMT3A, GRM5, PIK3CA, TERT and CDKN2A have high occurrences of genomic abnormalities. Not all of these genes necessarily are relevant for cancer – though they have been reported. Some of these genes directly or indirectly end up manipulating different cancer related biochemical biological pathways. Some of the pathways which are relevant drivers for Chordoma are Cell Cycle, Focal Adhesion, Extracellular Matrix Remodelling and others. Radiation is one of the chemotherapies used for cancer treatment. The intent of treatment is to negate or cancel out effects of biochemical pathway drivers Cell Cycle, Focal Adhesion, Extracellular Matrix Remodelling so as to reduce disease progression and inhibit growth. Those foods whose combined action of active ingredients support treatment action and do not enhance disease drivers are recommended foods and supplements which will be included in personalized nutrition. And similarly – those foods whose combined action of active ingredients is not supportive of treatment action but end up promoting disease drives will not be recommended in your personalized nutrition plan.
RECOMMENDATION: AVOID SUPPLEMENTS AND FOODS WHICH ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF CANCER TREATMENT ACTION AND RATHER ENHANCE DISEASE DRIVERS.
Eat more pulses, Adzuki Bean or Hyacinth Bean?
Pulses are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Adzuki Bean are Isoliquiritigenin, Genistein, Glucaric Acid, Folic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Hyacinth Bean are Genistein, Vitamin C, Palmitic Acid, Myristic Acid, Folic Acid and others.
Glucaric Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Cell Cycle and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Isoliquiritigenin has biological action on biochemical pathways Heat Stress Response, Focal Adhesion and Cell Cycle.
Palmitic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways Heat Stress Response, Growth Factor Signaling and Extracellular Matrix Remodelling. Genistein has biological action on biochemical pathways DNA Repair. And so on.
When treating Chordoma with chemotherapy Radiation – Foods like Adzuki Bean are recommended compared to Hyacinth Bean. This is because the active ingredients Palmitic Acid and Genistein in Hyacinth Bean interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Glucaric Acid and Isoliquiritigenin contained in Adzuki Bean support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: ADZUKI BEAN IS RECOMMENDED OVER HYACINTH BEAN FOR CHORDOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY RADIATION FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more vegetables, Carrot or Spinach?
Vegetables are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Carrot are Quercetin, Lupeol, Lycopene, Luteolin, Vitamin E among others. While the active ingredients contained in Spinach are Quercetin, Apigenin, Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Kaempferol and others.
Osthole can manipulate biochemical pathways Extracellular Matrix Remodelling, Growth Factor Signaling and Cell Cycle. Beta-carotene has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, DNA Repair and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling.
Apigenin can manipulate biochemical pathways Heat Stress Response and DNA Repair. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways Heat Stress Response. And so on.
When treating Chordoma with chemotherapy Radiation – Foods like Carrot are recommended compared to Spinach. This is because the active ingredients Apigenin and Vitamin C in Spinach interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Osthole and Beta-carotene contained in Carrot support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: CARROT IS RECOMMENDED OVER SPINACH FOR CHORDOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY RADIATION FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more fruits, Rowanberry or Strawberry?
Fruits are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Rowanberry are Quercetin, Chlorogenic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Strawberry are Ellagic Acid, Lupeol, Pelargonidin, Beta-sitosterol, Fisetin and others.
Chlorogenic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways Extracellular Matrix Remodelling, MYC Signaling and Heat Stress Response. Quercetin has biological action on biochemical pathways Growth Factor Signaling, DNA Repair and Cell Cycle.
Fisetin can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling and Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics. Ellagic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Heat Stress Response and MYC Signaling. And so on.
When treating Chordoma with chemotherapy Radiation – Foods like Rowanberry are recommended compared to Strawberry. This is because the active ingredients Fisetin and Ellagic Acid in Strawberry interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Chlorogenic Acid and Quercetin contained in Rowanberry support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: ROWANBERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER STRAWBERRY FOR CHORDOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY RADIATION FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more nuts, Pine Nut or Peanut?
Nuts are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Pine Nut are Vitamin E, Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Vitamin A among others. While the active ingredients contained in Peanut are Quercetin, Vitamin E, Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin B3, Ferulic Acid and others.
Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Cell Cycle, MYC Signaling and Heat Stress Response. Vitamin K has biological action on biochemical pathways PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, MYC Signaling and Cell Cycle.
Vitamin A can manipulate biochemical pathways Extracellular Matrix Remodelling and Focal Adhesion. Lecithin has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. And so on.
When treating Chordoma with chemotherapy Radiation – Foods like Pine Nut are recommended compared to Peanut. This is because the active ingredients Vitamin A and Lecithin in Peanut interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Beta-sitosterol and Vitamin K contained in Pine Nut support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: PINE NUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER PEANUT FOR CHORDOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY RADIATION FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Foods for Genetic Risk of Chordoma
One of the ways to assess risk of cancer is by checking for presence of genetic abnormalities in a set of genes. There is prior information on a list of genes whose mutations and other aberrations can play a role in risk to different cancers. GRM5 and CDKN2A are two genes whose abnormalities are risk factors for Chordoma. In such a cancer risk situation – while there are typically no treatments which a physician can prescribe – the various biochemical pathways which are potentially molecular drivers of Chordoma can be used as a guide for coming up with a recommended personalized nutrition plan. For Chordoma gene GRM5 has causative impact on biological pathways like G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling and Cannabinoid receptor Signaling. And CDKN2A has a causative impact on biological pathways like Cell Cycle Checkpoints and Cell Cycle. Foods and nutritional supplements which have molecular action to cancel out biochemical pathways effects of genes like GRM5 and CDKN2A should be included in a personalized nutrition plan. And those foods and supplements which promote the effects of genes GRM5 and CDKN2A should be avoided.
Eat more pulses, Common Pea or Soy Bean?
The active ingredients contained in Common Pea are Lupeol, Daidzein, Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin C, Linolenic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Soy Bean are Lupeol, Vitamin E, Daidzein, Beta-sitosterol, Quercetin and others.
Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, Cell Cycle and MYC Signaling. Lupeol has biological action on biochemical pathways P53 Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling.
Aescin can manipulate biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints and Cell Cycle. Lecithin has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Chordoma due to abnormalities in genes GRM5 and CDKN2A – Foods like Common Pea are recommended compared to Soy Bean. This is because the active ingredients Aescin and Lecithin in Soy Bean further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Beta-sitosterol and Lupeol contained in Common Pea together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: COMMON PEA IS RECOMMENDED OVER SOY BEAN FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF CHORDOMA DUE TO GENES GRM5 AND CDKN2A
Eat more vegetables, Arugula or Celery?
The active ingredients contained in Arugula are Esculin, Vitamin A, Kaempferol, Vitamin K, Erysolin among others. While the active ingredients contained in Celery are Apigenin, Quercetin, Vitamin C, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid and others.
Kaempferol can manipulate biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints, Cell Cycle and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Vitamin K has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and Cell Cycle.
Luteolin can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling. Cynaroside has biological action on biochemical pathways Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics. And so on.
For genetic risk of Chordoma due to abnormalities in genes GRM5 and CDKN2A – Foods like Arugula are recommended compared to Celery. This is because the active ingredients Luteolin and Cynaroside in Celery further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Kaempferol and Vitamin K contained in Arugula together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: ARUGULA IS RECOMMENDED OVER CELERY FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF CHORDOMA DUE TO GENES GRM5 AND CDKN2A
Foods to Eat After Cancer Diagnosis!
No two cancers are the same. Go beyond the common nutrition guidelines for everyone and make personalized decisions about food and supplements with confidence.
Eat more fruits, Feijoa or Raspberry?
The active ingredients contained in Feijoa are Lycopene, Vitamin C, Casuarinin, Folic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Raspberry are Ellagic Acid, Quercetin, Vitamin C, Resveratrol, Salicylic Acid and others.
Lycopene can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, Cell Cycle and MYC Signaling. Casuarinin has biological action on biochemical pathways P53 Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling.
Ellagic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling. Resveratrol has biological action on biochemical pathways P53 Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Chordoma due to abnormalities in genes GRM5 and CDKN2A – Foods like Feijoa are recommended compared to Raspberry. This is because the active ingredients Ellagic Acid and Resveratrol in Raspberry further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Lycopene and Casuarinin contained in Feijoa together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: FEIJOA IS RECOMMENDED OVER RASPBERRY FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF CHORDOMA DUE TO GENES GRM5 AND CDKN2A
Eat more nuts, Pecan Nut or Chestnut?
The active ingredients contained in Pecan Nut are Vitamin E, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Cianidanol, Linoleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Chestnut are Ellagic Acid, Quercetin, Vitamin C, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid and others.
Vitamin E can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, Cell Cycle and MYC Signaling. Cianidanol has biological action on biochemical pathways P53 Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling.
Ellagic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling. Folic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Apoptosis, P53 Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints. And so on.
For genetic risk of Chordoma due to abnormalities in genes GRM5 and CDKN2A – Foods like Pecan Nut are recommended compared to Chestnut. This is because the active ingredients Ellagic Acid and Folic Acid in Chestnut further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Vitamin E and Cianidanol contained in Pecan Nut together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: PECAN NUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER CHESTNUT FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF CHORDOMA DUE TO GENES GRM5 AND CDKN2A
In Summary
An important thing to remember is that cancer treatments may not be the same for everyone – and neither should your nutrition be. Nutrition which includes food and nutritional supplements is a very effective tool controlled by you.
“What should I eat?” is the most frequently asked question in the context of cancer. The answer calculation is complex and depends upon cancer type, underlying genomics, current treatments, any allergies, lifestyle information, and factors like BMI.
The addon personalized nutrition plan recommends foods and supplements which minimizes adverse nutrition interactions and encourages support to treatments.
You can get started NOW and design a personalized nutrition plan for Chordoma by answering questions on type of cancer, current treatments, supplements, allergies, age group, gender, and lifestyle information.
What food you eat and which supplements you take is a decision you make. Your decision should include consideration of the cancer gene mutations, which cancer, ongoing treatments and supplements, any allergies, lifestyle information, weight, height and habits.
The nutrition planning for cancer from addon is not based on internet searches. It automates the decision making for you based on molecular science implemented by our scientists and software engineers. Irrespective of whether you care to understand the underlying biochemical molecular pathways or not - for nutrition planning for cancer that understanding is needed.
Get started NOW with your nutrition planning by answering questions on the name of cancer, genetic mutations, ongoing treatments and supplements, any allergies, habits, lifestyle, age group and gender.
References
- Msk Impact 2017
- Cancer therapy shapes the fitness landscape of clonal hematopoiesis.
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- Suppression of lung cancer progression by isoliquiritigenin through its metabolite 2, 4, 2′, 4′-Tetrahydroxychalcone.
- Quercetin inhibits HGF/c-Met signaling and HGF-stimulated melanoma cell migration and invasion.
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 as molecular targets for phytochemicals indole-3-carbinol and genistein in breast and prostate cancer cells.
- Chromatographic separation and electrochemical determination of cholesterol hydroperoxides generated by photodynamic action.
- Protein kinase and HDAC inhibitors from the endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum.
- Crystal structure of a human cyclin-dependent kinase 6 complex with a flavonol inhibitor, fisetin.
- Identification of ellagic acid as potent inhibitor of protein kinase CK2: a successful example of a virtual screening application.
- Osthole suppresses hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via repression of the c-Met/Akt/mTOR pathway in human breast cancer cells.
- The effect of Pasteurella haemolytica cytotoxin on bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes can be attenuated by beta-adrenoceptor antagonists.
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- Paederia foetida induces anticancer activity by modulating chromatin modification enzymes and altering pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in human prostate cancer cells.
- Research progress on the anticancer effects of vitamin K2.
- Adhesion to the extracellular matrix is positively regulated by retinoic acid in HepG2 cells.
- The recruitment of Raf-1 to membranes is mediated by direct interaction with phosphatidic acid and is independent of association with Ras.
- Lycopene metabolite, apo-10′-lycopenoic acid, inhibits diethylnitrosamine-initiated, high fat diet-promoted hepatic inflammation and tumorigenesis in mice.
- Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells by casuarinin from the bark of Terminalia arjuna Linn.
- Resveratrol, a remarkable inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase.
- Gamma- and delta-tocotrienols exert a more potent anticancer effect than alpha-tocopheryl succinate on breast cancer cell lines irrespective of HER-2/neu expression.
- Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells by (+)-cyanidan-3-ol.
- Effects of folate deficiency on gene expression in the apoptosis and cancer pathways in colon cancer cells.
- HyperFoods: Machine intelligent mapping of cancer-beating molecules in foods.
- Fisetin: a dietary antioxidant for health promotion.
Personalized Nutrition for Cancer!
Cancer changes with time. Customize and modify your nutrition based on cancer indication, treatments, lifestyle, food preferences, allergies and other factors.