Which Foods are Recommended for Hepatoblastoma?

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 Hepatoblastoma when undergoing chemotherapy or when you determine you have a genetic risk for developing Hepatoblastoma because of CTNNB1 and PTPRT 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 Hepatoblastoma 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 Elderberry” or “Include fruit Naranjilla in my diet” or “Should I reduce consumption of vegetable Jute” or “Can I take Neem Extract and Dim 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 HEPATOBLASTOMA, TREATMENTS, GENETIC INFORMATION, AND OTHER CONDITIONS.

The overall objective of personalized nutrition for Hepatoblastoma 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 HEPATOBLASTOMA, WHEN TREATMENTS, DISEASE STATUS AND OTHER CONDITIONS CHANGE.

About Hepatoblastoma

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 Hepatoblastoma from cBioPortal. The patients enrolled in the studies for Hepatoblastoma are in ages between 1 to 10 with an average age of 4. 60.0% of males and 40.0% of females were the distribution of gender in these clinical studies. From a patient sample size of 22; the top genes with mutations and other abnormalities for Hepatoblastoma include genes CTNNB1, PTPRT, IKBKE and NFE2L2. The occurrence frequency distribution for these genes respectively is 66.7%, 33.3%, 33.3% and 33.3%. These tumor genetic details of Hepatoblastoma are mapped to molecular biochemical pathway drivers of cancer thereby providing definition of characteristic features of Hepatoblastoma.

Hepatoblastoma is a rare cancer that forms in the tissues of the liver. It is the most common type of childhood liver cancer that affects children 3 years of age or younger. Symptoms of hepatoblastoma include a lump in the abdomen that may be painful, swelling in the abdomen, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Advancements of chemotherapy combination regimens prior to surgery (neo-adjuvant chemotherapy) along with surgical resection have significantly improved prognosis of hepatoblastoma, with a cure rate of approximately 70%. Prognosis is based on many factors including alpha fetoprotein levels, age at the time of diagnosis, completeness of resection and clinical stage of disease. In addition, supportive care with the right nutrition (foods and natural supplements) can help improve the patients’ well-being. (Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534795/; https://www.cancer.gov/types/liver/childhood-liver-cancer/hepatoblastoma)

Significance of Nutrition for Hepatoblastoma

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 Hepatoblastoma. 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 Elderberry includes active ingredients Isorhamnetin, Betulinic Acid, Vitamin A, Lupeol, Quercetin and others. And Naranjilla contains active ingredients Beta-carotene, Vitamin A, Zeaxanthin 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 Hepatoblastoma, activation or inhibition of selected biochemical pathways like Adherens junction, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Oxidative Stress, Growth Factor Signaling 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 Hepatoblastoma, 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 HEPATOBLASTOMA – CONSIDER HIGH QUANTITY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS CONTAINED IN FOODS.

Foods for Hepatoblastoma undergoing chemotherapy treatment

In Hepatoblastoma – the genes CTNNB1, PTPRT, IKBKE and NFE2L2 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 Hepatoblastoma are Adherens junction, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Oxidative Stress and others. Fluorouracil is one of the chemotherapies used for cancer treatment. The intent of treatment is to negate or cancel out effects of biochemical pathway drivers Adherens junction, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Oxidative Stress 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, Common Bean or Scarlet Bean?

Pulses are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Common Bean are Vitamin A, Ferulic Acid, Gamma-linolenic Acid, Vitamin C, Linoleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Scarlet Bean are Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin C, Stigmasterol, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid and others.

Vitamin A can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, WNT Beta Catenin Signaling and Oxidative Stress. Ferulic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Adherens junction, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and WNT Beta Catenin Signaling.

Citric Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress. Liquiritigenin has biological action on biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress. And so on.

When treating Hepatoblastoma with chemotherapy Fluorouracil – Foods like Common Bean are recommended compared to Scarlet Bean. This is because the active ingredients Citric Acid and Liquiritigenin in Scarlet Bean interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Vitamin A and Ferulic Acid contained in Common Bean support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.

RECOMMENDATION: COMMON BEAN IS RECOMMENDED OVER SCARLET BEAN FOR HEPATOBLASTOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY FLUOROURACIL FOR SOME CONDITIONS.

Eat more vegetables, Turnip or Jute?

Vegetables are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Turnip are Vitamin A, Indole-3-carbinol, Vitamin C, Sulforaphane among others. While the active ingredients contained in Jute are Vitamin A, Quercetin, Vitamin C, Oleic Acid, Vitamin B3 and others.

Vitamin A can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, WNT Beta Catenin Signaling and Oxidative Stress. Indole-3-carbinol has biological action on biochemical pathways Adherens junction, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and WNT Beta Catenin Signaling.

Quercetin can manipulate biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress. Vitamin B3 has biological action on biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress. And so on.

When treating Hepatoblastoma with chemotherapy Fluorouracil – Foods like Turnip are recommended compared to Jute. This is because the active ingredients Quercetin and Vitamin B3 in Jute interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Vitamin A and Indole-3-carbinol contained in Turnip support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.

RECOMMENDATION: TURNIP IS RECOMMENDED OVER JUTE FOR HEPATOBLASTOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY FLUOROURACIL FOR SOME CONDITIONS.

Eat more fruits, Naranjilla or Elderberry?

Fruits are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Naranjilla are Beta-carotene, Vitamin A, Zeaxanthin among others. While the active ingredients contained in Elderberry are Isorhamnetin, Betulinic Acid, Vitamin A, Lupeol, Quercetin and others.

Beta-carotene can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, WNT Beta Catenin Signaling and Oxidative Stress. Vitamin A has biological action on biochemical pathways Adherens junction, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and WNT Beta Catenin Signaling.

Rutin can manipulate biochemical pathways WNT Beta Catenin Signaling and Oxidative Stress. Quercetin has biological action on biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress. And so on.

When treating Hepatoblastoma with chemotherapy Fluorouracil – Foods like Naranjilla are recommended compared to Elderberry. This is because the active ingredients Rutin and Quercetin in Elderberry interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Beta-carotene and Vitamin A contained in Naranjilla support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.

RECOMMENDATION: NARANJILLA IS RECOMMENDED OVER ELDERBERRY FOR HEPATOBLASTOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY FLUOROURACIL FOR SOME CONDITIONS.

Eat more nuts, Macadamia Nut or Chestnut?

Nuts are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Macadamia Nut are Beta-sitosterol, Lauric Acid, Palmitic Acid, Myristic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Chestnut are Vitamin A, Quercetin, Vitamin C, Betulin, Linoleic Acid and others.

Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, WNT Beta Catenin Signaling and Oxidative Stress. Lauric Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress.

Ellagic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and WNT Beta Catenin Signaling. Gallic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress. And so on.

When treating Hepatoblastoma with chemotherapy Fluorouracil – Foods like Macadamia Nut are recommended compared to Chestnut. This is because the active ingredients Ellagic Acid and Gallic Acid in Chestnut interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Beta-sitosterol and Lauric Acid contained in Macadamia Nut support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.

RECOMMENDATION: MACADAMIA NUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER CHESTNUT FOR HEPATOBLASTOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY FLUOROURACIL FOR SOME CONDITIONS.

Foods for Genetic Risk of Hepatoblastoma

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. CTNNB1 and PTPRT are two genes whose abnormalities are risk factors for Hepatoblastoma. 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 Hepatoblastoma can be used as a guide for coming up with a recommended personalized nutrition plan. For Hepatoblastoma gene CTNNB1 has causative impact on biological pathways like Adherens junction, Androgen Signaling and Cytoskeletal Dynamics. And PTPRT has a causative impact on biological pathways like JAK-STAT Signaling. Foods and nutritional supplements which have molecular action to cancel out biochemical pathways effects of genes like CTNNB1 and PTPRT should be included in a personalized nutrition plan. And those foods and supplements which promote the effects of genes CTNNB1 and PTPRT should be avoided.

Eat more pulses, Common Pea or Fava Bean?

The active ingredients contained in Common Pea are Lupeol, Beta-sitosterol, Daidzein, Linolenic Acid, Vitamin C among others. While the active ingredients contained in Fava Bean are Beta-sitosterol, Daidzein, Quercetin, Ferulic Acid, Linolenic Acid and others.

Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Apoptosis and Adherens junction. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways WNT Beta Catenin Signaling, MYC Signaling and P53 Signaling.

Oleic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition. Linoleic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition. And so on.

For genetic risk of Hepatoblastoma due to abnormalities in genes CTNNB1 and PTPRT – Foods like Common Pea are recommended compared to Fava Bean. This is because the active ingredients Oleic Acid and Linoleic Acid in Fava Bean further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Beta-sitosterol and Vitamin C contained in Common Pea together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.

RECOMMENDATION: COMMON PEA IS RECOMMENDED OVER FAVA BEAN FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF HEPATOBLASTOMA DUE TO GENES CTNNB1 AND PTPRT

Eat more vegetables, Arugula or Carrot?

The active ingredients contained in Arugula are Esculin, Vitamin A, Kaempferol, Vitamin K, Erysolin among others. While the active ingredients contained in Carrot are Lupeol, Beta-sitosterol, Lycopene, Eugenol, D-limonene and others.

Vitamin A can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Apoptosis and Adherens junction. Kaempferol has biological action on biochemical pathways WNT Beta Catenin Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling.

Osthole can manipulate biochemical pathways WNT Beta Catenin Signaling and Adherens junction. Luteolin has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling and WNT Beta Catenin Signaling. And so on.

For genetic risk of Hepatoblastoma due to abnormalities in genes CTNNB1 and PTPRT – Foods like Arugula are recommended compared to Carrot. This is because the active ingredients Osthole and Luteolin in Carrot further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Vitamin A and Kaempferol contained in Arugula together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.

RECOMMENDATION: ARUGULA IS RECOMMENDED OVER CARROT FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF HEPATOBLASTOMA DUE TO GENES CTNNB1 AND PTPRT

Eat more fruits, Feijoa or Pummelo?

The active ingredients contained in Feijoa are Lycopene, Vitamin C, Casuarinin, Folic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Pummelo are Naringin, Beta-sitosterol, Naringenin, Linolenic Acid, Vitamin C and others.

Vitamin C can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Apoptosis and Adherens junction. Lycopene has biological action on biochemical pathways WNT Beta Catenin Signaling, MYC Signaling and P53 Signaling.

Naringetol can manipulate biochemical pathways WNT Beta Catenin Signaling. Hesperetin has biological action on biochemical pathways WNT Beta Catenin Signaling. And so on.

For genetic risk of Hepatoblastoma due to abnormalities in genes CTNNB1 and PTPRT – Foods like Feijoa are recommended compared to Pummelo. This is because the active ingredients Naringetol and Hesperetin in Pummelo further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Vitamin C and Lycopene contained in Feijoa together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.

RECOMMENDATION: FEIJOA IS RECOMMENDED OVER PUMMELO FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF HEPATOBLASTOMA DUE TO GENES CTNNB1 AND PTPRT

Eat more nuts, Brazil Nut or Peanut?

The active ingredients contained in Brazil Nut are Vitamin E, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Lecithin, Folic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Peanut are Beta-sitosterol, Quercetin, Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid, Linolenic Acid and others.

Vitamin E can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Apoptosis and MYC Signaling. Linolenic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Adherens junction, WNT Beta Catenin Signaling and P53 Signaling.

Lecithin can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Vitamin B3 has biological action on biochemical pathways PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. And so on.

For genetic risk of Hepatoblastoma due to abnormalities in genes CTNNB1 and PTPRT – Foods like Brazil Nut are recommended compared to Peanut. This is because the active ingredients Lecithin and Vitamin B3 in Peanut further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Vitamin E and Linolenic Acid contained in Brazil Nut together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.

RECOMMENDATION: BRAZIL NUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER PEANUT FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF HEPATOBLASTOMA DUE TO GENES CTNNB1 AND PTPRT

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 Hepatoblastoma 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

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